Seasonal Analysis and Mapping of Air Pollution (PM10 and SO2) During Covid-19 Lockdown in Kocaeli (Turkey)

Abstract

The Covid-19 epidemic has adversely affected the world in terms of health, education, economic, tourism, social and psychological. During to the epidemic, different measures were taken to prevent the epidemic, such as travel bans, curfews, stopping in production. These measures have reduced and improved air pollution. Within the scope of this study, the change in air pollution in Kocaeli between 2019 and 2021 was examined monthly. PM10 and SO2 maps were created with inverse distance weighted (IDW) technique using geographic information systems technology (GIS). The year 2020, when Covid-19 measures were taken, was compared with 2019 and 2021. Change maps were created by taking the difference between 2020-2019 and 2021-2020 with GIS technology. As a result of the research, it was determined that the level of air pollution decreased in 2020. On the contrary, in 2021, an increase in air pollution levels was observed. In the study, a decrease was observed in PM10 concentration during the Covid-19 lockdowns, however a decrease was not observed for SO2.