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Loose cohesionless slopes are susceptible to liquefaction and subsequent flowsliding. Small scale sub-aerial laboratory flowslides have been obtained by inducing the collapse of loose deposits of saturated fine quartz sand. Failure mechanisms resembled field cases and other laboratory experiments. A detailed set of results is presented, illustrating the temporal and longitudinal variation of both surface velocity and the elevations of flowing and static material. Initially, the flowside accelerated under the influence of gravity. Movement was not arrested ‘en masse’, but unsteady deposition of sand and pore fluid occurred, being dependent on deceleration of the flowslide that propagated downstream. As a result, the slope over which the flowing material was moving increased with time. Excess pore water pressures were measured during flowslide motion, the magnitudes of which were reasonably predicted using the Coulomb failure criterion and assuming equilibrium of driving and resisting forces. This was despite the observance of unsteady flow and the limitations of experimental measurement.

River-length patterns in the chemistry and biology of the Charlton Brook, an unclassified watercourse in Sheffield, England, have been examined. Five sampling sites for macroinvertebrates and pollutant analysis were used, in conjunction with Environment Agency's General Quality Assessment (GQA) methodologies and hydraulic analysis of the catchment. Sites were strategically located to account for the tributaries and the brook downstream of their confluence, to assess the potential impact from surface water outfalls (SWOs). Variations in GQA parameters indicate a significant drop in quality downstream of the SWOs that discharge to the study watercourse, with a marked drop in biological diversity noted at the onset of urbanisation. The decline in biological quality however is greater than that suggested by physicochemical analysis alone. There was a significant inverse relationship between impermeable area and biological diversity. Analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and trace metals in sediment from the watercourse showed significant yet irregular variations between sites. The potential toxicity of instream metal concentrations was determined using cumulative criterion unit (CCU) scores, which highlighted cadmium, copper and lead as the major sources of potential chronic instream toxicity. The threshold for likely harm to aquatic life is exceeded at all sites. In the absence of different physical characteristics, comparisons of the chemical and biological data indicate that the benthic macroinvertebrate population of such watercourses are adversely affected by the stormwater inputs.

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This paper explores the disposal strategies of menstrual sanitary products through in-depth semistructured interviews of women aged 18-30 years. There have been many educational campaigns to encourage solid stream waste disposal, however inappropriate disposal and blockages are still a major problem for the water industry. Whilst there have been quantitative studies exploring selfreporting of flushing norms, there is evidence to suggest these results may not take into account the complex set of socio-cultural factors associated with menstrual product disposal. Bridging this gap, our interviews found that although all participants had a desire to responsibly dispose, their ability to utilise solid waste streams or to minimise waste by using reusable products was not always possible because they felt, to some degree, restricted by the wider societal requirements for discretion and the design, accessibility and availability of bins and bathroom facilities. Based on these findings Industry recommendations are suggested.