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A drastic level of resource degradation was revealed through a preliminary evaluation (completed in 2016) of water quality in a recreational lake in the second industrial city in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The primary signs were a foul smell, algal bloom, high turbidity, and lack of aquatic life. This study aims to evaluate the influence of reverse osmosis (RO) on lake water quality. The recreational lake consists of two connected lakes (Lakes 1 and 2), which receive treated effluent from an industrial wastewater treatment plant. Composite samples were collected from the lakes to analyze their physiochemical parameters. Descriptive analyses were performed, and two water quality indices were developed to observe the variations in water quality conditions between the two periods (2016 and 2021). The results indicated that the water parameters of total dissolved solids (TDS), sulphate (SO42−), biological oxygen demand (BOD), and dissolved oxygen (DO) in 2016 (3356, 4100, 516, and 1.32 mg/L, respectively) were significantly improved in 2021 (2502, 1.28, 9.39, and 7.79 mg/L, respectively). The results of the water quality index (WQI) and comprehensive pollution index (CPI) indicated that the water quality in Lake 1 was significantly enhanced in 2021 (WQI = 85, CPI = 1) in comparison with assessment data from 2016 (WQI = 962, CPI = 8). However, the data from Lake 2 revealed higher pollution levels in 2021 (WQI = 1722, CPI = 18) than those recorded in 2016 (WQI = 1508, CPI = 13). As indicated by the absence of bad smells, algal blooms, and restoration of aquatic life, the RO intervention successfully improved the water quality in Lake 1. The WQI and CPI were helpful tools for evaluating lake water quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

aiman,3 Dhuha N Boumarah,4 Aldana M Almubireek,2 Gaeda K Alkaltham,2 Hussain A Alhawaj,5 Taleb Alkhamis,5 Nazish Rafique,1 Ahmed Alsunni,1 Rabia Latif,1 Seham Alsaif,1 Dana Almohazey,6 Sayed AbdulAzeez,7 J Francis Borgio71Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia; 2King Fahd Hospital of the University, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia; 3Department of Internal Medicine, King Fahd Hospital of the University, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Surgery, King Fahd Hospital of the University, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia; 5Animal House, Environmental Health Department, Institute for Research and Medical Consultation, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia; 6Department of Stem Cell Research, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia; 7Department of Genetic Research, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Lubna Al Asoom, Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O Box 2004, Dammam, 31541, Saudi Arabia, Tel +966505846344, Email [email protected] View the original paper by Dr Al Asoom and colleagues This is in response to the Letter to the Editor [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Child abuse, including sexual abuse, is a problem in all societies regardless of cultural and/or religious backgrounds. Until 2007, the law referred victims of sexual crimes to gynecologists for forensic examination in Saudi Arabia. Since then, the Forensic Department has taken over responsibility for the examination of such cases; a special forensic clinic was established at that time. Objective: To describe the socio-medical and forensic characteristics of reported cases of living child abuse in the maternity and children hospital (MCH) and the forensic and legal center (FLC) in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Research design and methods: This research uses a descriptive case-series analysis that targets all reported physical and sexual assaults on victims less than 18years old in the MCH from 2008 till the end of 2010 and FLC from 2006 to 2010. Results: Out of 87 reported cases, 85% of the assaults were sexual, 12.6% of the assaults were non-sexual and 2.3% were combined (both sexual and non-sexual abuse). Cases of sexual abuse were significantly higher in the older age group in comparison to the non-sexually assaulted group, which occurred more often at younger ages (P <0.001). The mean age was (11.04+5.07). Most victims were females (56.3%) and Saudi (90.8%). Conclusion: There is an increasing pattern of reports over recent years. Therefore, there is a need for more collaboration and advertising about the forensic clinic in order to improve the handling of sexual abuse cases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]