2020 research activities
Overview
The research in this department is dedicated to understanding the complex inter-relationships among the major Earth Systems and on the human impact on the Earth's environment and climate. In addition, research is conducted on planetary atmospheres and planetary geomorphologies.
The Department's research activities have several general areas of activities. One focuses on water and includes hydrology, geochemistry, land-plant-atmosphere interactions, and oceanography. A second activity is in the use of stable isotopes for reconstructions of paleoclimatic and of biosphere-atmosphere dynamics, and a third is in the area of atmospheric chemistry and dynamics, and cloud physics. The fourth area of research is in planetary sciences. Our research requires knowledge of the interdependent components that together constitute the "environment", as well as a commitment to protect this environment by improving the manner in which air, water, land, and energy are utilized by humans. The Department is distinguished by the interactions among scientists from different backgrounds and expertise, which is critical for achieving a comprehensive understanding of the global environment and planetary sciences.
The department promotes international collaborations based on short- and long-term visits for research and training by scientists who complement existing expertise in the Department. The interdisciplinary nature of the Department is well reflected in the academic training of the research students. Their backgrounds vary from physics, chemistry, and mathematics through geology to biology. We encourage the participation of students who are interested in not only investigating in depth a specific subject but who are also interested in a broader and integrative approach to science.
ScientistsShow details
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Prof. Brian Berkowitz
Development of chemical methods for remediation of water polluted by organic compounds and heavy metals.Fluid flow and chemical transport in groundwater systems.Percolation, scaling and statistical physics models of structural and dynamic processes in geological formations.Experimental and theoretical analysis of reactive transport and precipitation/dissolution patterns in porous media.
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Dr. Itay Halevy
The long-timescale co-evolution of biogeochemical cycles, the chemical and isotopic composition of the oceans and atmosphere, and climate on Earth and other planets.The geological, geochemical, and geobiological history of Earth, planets and satellites.Global biogeochemical cycles and their interaction with the climate system.Episodes of global climatic, biological or geochemical change, their causes and consequences, and their expression in the sedimentary rock record.Fractionation of stable isotopes during metabolic activity, its governing factors, and its expression in modern environments and in the sedimentary rock record.
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Dr. Yohai Kaspi
Geophysical fluid dynamicsAtmospheric dynamics on Earth and other planetsStorm track dynamicsGeostrophic turbulenceSuperrotationClimate dynamicsPlanetary interiorsGravitational signature of internal dynamics on giant planetsJets on giant planetsInternal tidesThe Juno mission to Jupiter
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Prof. Ilan Koren
The twilight zone - convective clouds and their interaction with the free atmosphereCollaboration with: NOAA-ESRL Boulder CO.Anthropogenic Effects on Clouds and Precipitation and the Derived Climate ForcingCollaboration with: NASA-GSFC, UMBCCloud microphysics and dynamicsCloud classification and cloud textures and morphology
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Dr. Shira Raveh-Rubin
Weather systems dynamicsExtratropical cyclonesTropical-extratropical interactionsAir-sea interactionAtmospheric transportMoisture transport leading to heavy precipitationLarge-scale dust transportExtreme weather eventsMediterranean cyclonesHeavy precipitation, strong winds, boundary layer instability, wildfires
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Prof. Yinon Rudich
Health effects of atmospheric particulate matterIce nucleation by atmospheric particlesThe transport of microorganisms in the atmosphere and their possible biogeochemical effects. Atmospheric microbiome.Optical properties of atmospheric organic aerosols
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Prof. Dan Yakir
Developing the use of stable isotopes (in particular, 13C, 18O, 15N, 2H) as tracers of biogeochemical cycles on land.Environmental and climatic influence on the exchange of trace gases and energy between plants, soil and the atmosphere.Climatic influence on the natural abundance of carbon, oxygen and hydrogen isotopes in CO2, O2, H2O and organic matter.
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