Assessment of the Environmental Impacts of the COVID-19 Lockdown: Spatio-Temporal Distribution of Air Pollutants in Egypt (Case Study: Alexandria Maritime Port - Egypt)

The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching effects on global society, affecting not only public health and the economy but also the environment. This research explores the environmental impact of COVID-19 in the context of Alexandria Port, a major maritime hub in Egypt. Using AIS data from the port area, we analyze the changes in shipping activities and pollution emissions over a five-year period (2018-2022). The study aimed to gather, analyze, and interpret satellite observational data from the European Space Agency geospatial processing Engine, focusing on air quality parameters like carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), ozone (O3), and aerosol properties (Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) and Absorbing Aerosol Index (AAI)). This analysis covered a five-year period (2018-2022) before, during, and after the COVID-19 lockdown in order to assess the impact of implemented preventive measures on air quality around Alexandria, particularly near the Alexandria Port due to maritime activities. The results indicated a positive short-term environmental impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on quality of air. However, with the resumption of full-capacity maritime activities at Alexandria Maritime Port, pollution levels returned to pre-resumption levels. Consequently, continuous trend monitoring is crucial to assess the effectiveness of regulations aimed at limiting air emissions.