Assessment of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the air in the Kopački rit Nature Park

Zrak je neophodan za život na zemlji. Onečišćenju zraka pridonose zagađivači u atmosferi prisutni u graničnom sloju atmosfere. Ozon, PM10 čestice i benzen neki su od onečišćivača u zraku. Uvelike utječu na ekosustav, remeteći prije svega zdravlje čovjeka, kao i biljni i životinjski svijet. U ovom radu procijenjene su koncentracije ozona, benzena i PM10 čestica na dvije različite lokacije (Park prirode Kopački rit i grad Osijek) istočne Hrvatske za razdoblje prije SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemije, točnije prije „lockdowna“, i na početku popuštanja mjera (2018.-2021.godine). Koncentracije ozona u Kopačkom ritu uspoređene su s istima u Osijeku jer su ove dvije lokacije interesantan primjer međusobnog utjecaja ruralnog i urbanog područja na relativno maloj udaljenosti. Prosječne srednje vrijednosti koncentracija PM10 čestica za promatrano razdoblje su veće na području Osijeka u odnosu na Park prirode Kopački rit. Vrijednosti koncentracija benzena u Osijeku svoj maksimum postižu u večernjim satima, dok u Kopačkom ritu u jutarnjim satima. Uočeno je kako se koncentracija ispitivanih onečišćivača smanjila u razdoblju „lockdowna“ u odnosu na razdoblje prije.Air is necessary for life on earth. Contaminants in the atmosphere present in the boundary layer of the atmosphere contribute to air pollution. Ozone, PM10 particles and benzene are some of the pollutants in the air. They affect the ecosystem, first of all disrupting human health, as well as plant and animal life. In this paper, the concentrations of ozone, benzene and PM10 particles were estimated at two different locations (Kopački rit Nature Park and the city of Osijek) in eastern Croatia for the period before the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic, more precisely before the "lockdown", and at the beginning of the easing of measures (2018-2021). Ozone concentrations in Kopački rit were compared with those in Osijek, because these two locations are an interesting example of the mutual influence of rural and urban areas at a relatively short distance. The average mean values of the concentration of PM10 particles for the observed period are higher in the area of Osijek compared to the Kopački rit Nature Park. Benzene concentration values in Osijek reach their maximum in the evening hours, while in Kopački rit in the morning hours. It was observed that the concentration of the tested pollutants decreased during the "lockdown" period compared to the previous period