The impact of COVID-19 pandemic in Mediterranean urban air pollution and mobility

The pandemic has created opportunities which researchers, developers and planners should analyze, capitalize and adapt. How much COVID-19 restrictions affected air quality in Mediterranean tourism destinations? Was there a rebound effect during post-lockdown period? Which was the behavioral change concerning the urban mobility? Noteworthy changes in the air pollutants’ mean concentration on the ground-level have been experienced. The air quality was measured on the ground-level and reviewed concerning CO₂, CO, NO_x, and CH4 under various climate conditions. 5-min air quality and traffic load data were processed from different city spots in a Mediterranean tourism destination. The study examined the impact of State strategies on tackling the COVID-19 spread on both traffic load and air quality employing statistical methods. The obtained results show the lockdown period’s impact on improving air quality. Although there was a minor decrease, the mean CO₂ levels were not significantly affected during the lockdown period. The mean NOx levels during the lockdown period were decreased by 32% compared to the same period in 2019; there is also a 10% decrease in the mean levels of NOx compared to the period before the lockdown. This study related four primary air pollutants (CO₂, CO, NOx, and CH₄), the total number of vehicles, and the total number of tourists. A rebound effect proved during the post lockdown period. The results and the methodology of this research work are replicable as confirmed by other studies for different cities. Abbreviations: Analysis of Variance, ANOVA, Coronavirus Disease 2019, COVID-19; Green House Gases, GHGs; European Commission, EC; European Union, EU; National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA.