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The infiltration rate and therefore the principal function of a sand based vertical flow constructed wetland (VFCW) is influenced by the content of suspended solids (SS) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the waste water supply. In this study there were three operating conditions defined as "No Clogging"; "Partly Clogging" and "Clogging". Investigations on 21 VFCWs approved analytical differences between these conditions. The content of SS and especially particles > 50 microm are considered to play a key role. These particles are of the same size as the pores in which seepage mainly occurs. Thus their potential for surface blocking is high. It is concluded that the construction and size of the primary settling has to ensure that the mean concentration of SS after settling does not exceed 100 mg l(-1). The results of this study indicate that the area of the VFCW should be designed for a maximum loading rate of 5 g m(-2) d(-1) and the COD load should not exceed 20 g m(-2) d(-1).

Conspiracy theories offer unvalidated explanations for important political and societal events and thus are likely to develop around a crisis, such as the Corona pandemic. Research has shown that a general tendency to believe in conspiracy theories—a so-called conspiracy mentality—comes with negative societal consequences, such as decreased social engagement and less trust in authorities. However, this has not been tested for concrete conspiracy theories like the ones around the Corona pandemic. Social engagement and trust in authorities are essential to successfully fight the pandemic. Therefore, we examined the relation between the belief in two Corona-related conspiracy theories and trust in authorities, support for governmental regulations, social engagement, social distancing, and hygiene measures in two studies (total N = 909). Believing in a Political Corona Conspiracy (accusing government and media) showed a stronger (and unique) negative relation to all desired outcomes than believing in a China Corona Conspiracy (accusing China of developing the virus). However, believing in the theories was not related to hygiene measures. Overall, believing in specific conspiracy theories predicts harmful attitudes and behaviours similarly to conspiracy mentality, but to a stronger extent. Findings underscore the relevance of conspiracy theories in the context of the Corona pandemic.

Greywater has been identified as a key area of research in South Africa owing to the fact that service delivery in low-income areas largely consists of on-site dry sanitation with communal water points where greywater has the potential to create a host of environmental and health problems. The main aim of this study was to investigate the use and disposal of greywater in non-sewered areas in South Africa and this included developing options for the management thereof, both in terms of reducing health and environmental risks as well as possibly providing benefits through controlled reuse. This paper reports on observations made in the course of a two-year study that examined greywater management in 39 low-income non-sewered settlements situated in 6 of the 9 provinces. Proposals are made for the selection of various greywater management options as well as guidance for the planning for, and handling of, greywater from low-income areas.

2099 (multi-model mean in spring: 0.26 °C) or 0 and 14 % (multi-model mean in spring: 8 %) is obtained for models showing a realistic SAF. These numbers represent a wellfunded but only approximate estimate of the SAF contribution to future warming, and a remaining contribution of model-specific SAF misrepresentations cannot be ruled out.Keywords Snow-albedo feedback • European Alps • Regional climate models • ENSEMBLES • Climate change