Urban Soil Pollution by Heavy Metals: Effect of the Lockdown during the Period of COVID-19 on Pollutant Levels over a Five-Year Study

When residents of Volos, a city in central Greece, are trying to recall their daily life after the end quarantine due COVID-19, soil pollution survey provided valuable insights, which compared with 4-year study carried out that area before pandemic period. Using appropriate indices, namely contamination factor (CF), load index (PLI), geo-accumulation (Igeo), ecological risk (Er), and potential (RI), using geostatistical tools, maps were constructed for each metal (Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, Cd, Co, Cr, Mn). Variations values indices showed significant redistribution pollutant from areas previously polluted by high vehicle traffic activities main port residential areas, where habitants have homes playgrounds. The Cu, Co concentrations increased during period 10%, 22.7%, 3.7%, 23.1%, respectively. Ni’s concentration remained almost constant, while Mn decreased 21.6%, 22.2%, 9.5%, Fluctuations corresponding elements can serve as means highlighting sources pollution. Therefore, although created anxiety, stress, economic hardship citizens, it may prove be tool investigating urban soils. these results could potentially lead optimal ways managing environmental crisis solve persistent problems pose risks both environment human health.