Evidence of Covid-19 lockdown effects on riverine dissolved organic matter dynamics provides a proof-of-concept for needed regulations of anthropogenic emissions

The fast spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus in Italy resulted in a 3-months lockdown of the entire country. During this period, the effect of the relieved anthropogenic activities on the environment was plainly clear all over the country. Herein, we provide the first evidence of the lockdown effects on rive...

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Published in:The Science of the total environment 2022-03, Vol.812, p.152412-152412, Article 152412
Main Authors: Retelletti Brogi, S., Cossarini, G., Bachi, G., Balestra, C., Camatti, E., Casotti, R., Checcucci, G., Colella, S., Evangelista, V., Falcini, F., Francocci, F., Giorgino, T., Margiotta, F., Ribera d'Alcalà, M., Sprovieri, M., Vestri, S., Santinelli, C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Arno River
Carbon cycle
Communicable Disease Control
COVID-19
Dissolved Organic Matter
DOM
Humans
Lockdown
Riverine inputs
Rivers
SARS-CoV-2
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Summary:The fast spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus in Italy resulted in a 3-months lockdown of the entire country. During this period, the effect of the relieved anthropogenic activities on the environment was plainly clear all over the country. Herein, we provide the first evidence of the lockdown effects on riverine dissolved organic matter (DOM) dynamics. The strong reduction in anthropogenic activities resulted in a marked decrease in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration in the Arno River (−44%) and the coastal area affected by its input (−15%), compared to previous conditions. The DOM optical properties (absorption and fluorescence) showed a change in its quality, with a shift toward smaller and less aromatic molecules during the lockdown. The reduced human activity and the consequent change in DOM dynamics affected the abundance and annual dynamics of heterotrophic prokaryotes. The results of this study highlight the extent to which DOM dynamics in small rivers is affected by secondary and tertiary human activities as well as the quite short time scales to return to the impacted conditions. Our work also supports the importance of long-term research to disentangle the effects of casual events from the natural variability. [Display omitted] •Covid-19 lockdown affected riverine DOM dynamics.•44% less DOC in the river due to anthropic activities stopped during the lockdown.•Small river quickly respond to the relief of anthropogenic pressure.•Changed DOM dynamics affected the microbial loop in the river.•Regulations of anthropogenic emission could improve riverine water quality.
ISSN:0048-9697
1879-1026
1879-1026
DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152412