2024 research activities

Head Prof. Yinon Rudich

Picture of Prof. Yinon Rudich
Head

Prof. Yinon Rudich

Office +972-8-934-4237

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

  • Picture of Prof. Brian Berkowitz

    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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  • Picture of Dr. Itay Halevy

    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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  • Picture of Prof. Yohai Kaspi

    Prof. Yohai Kaspi

    Geophysical fluid dynamics
    Atmospheric dynamics on Earth and other planets
    Storm track dynamics
    Geostrophic turbulence
    Superrotation
    Climate dynamics
    Planetary dynamics
    Gravitational signature of internal dynamics on giant planets
    Jets on giant planets
    Internal tides
    The Juno mission to Jupiter
    Climate change
    Sustainability
    atmospheric response to climate change

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  • Picture of Prof. Ilan Koren

    Prof. Ilan Koren

    cloud and rain physics
    Collaboration with:  Dr. Graham Feingold - NOAA Prof. Alex Kostinski - MTU Prof. Alexander Khain - HUJI Prof. Vanderlei Martins - UMBC Prof. Zev Levin - TAU Dr. Lorraine Remer - NASA Prof. Yoav Schechner - Technion Dr. Eitan Hirsch - IIBR Dr. Eyal Agassi - IIBR
    Cloud dynamics. Cloud microphysics. Radiation transfer in the atmosphere Remote sensing Numerical modeling Theory of cloud physics Mixing Turbulence Entertainment
    nonlinear dynamics
    Collaboration with:  Prof. Eli Tziperman - Harvard Dr. Graham Feingold - NOAA Prof. Alex Kostinski - MTU Dr. Mickael Chekroun - Weizmann
    Pattern formation Self organization Bifurcations Chaos Stochastic differential equations Delay differential equations
    ocean - atmosphere interactions
    Collaboration with:  Prof. Assaf Vardi - Weizmann Prof. Emmanuel Boss - University of Maine Prof. Yinon Rudich - Weizmann
    Bloom dynamics, Ocean remote sensing. Marine aerosol Marine clouds Energy fluxes Air-sea interactions
    radiation transfer and remote sensing
    Collaboration with:  Prof. Alex Kostinski - MTU Prof. Vanderlei Martins - UMBC Dr. Lorraine Remer - NASA Prof. Yoav Schechner - Technion Dr. Eitan Hirsch - IIBR Dr. Eyal Agassi - IIBR
    Spectral inversion Pattern recognition Computer vision Cloud Properties Rain Properties

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  • Picture of Dr. Shira Raveh-Rubin

    Dr. Shira Raveh-Rubin

    Weather systems dynamics
    Extratropical cyclones
    Tropical-extratropical interactions
    Air-sea interaction
    blocking
    airstreams, conveyor belts
    Atmospheric transport
    Moisture transport leading to heavy precipitation
    Large-scale dust transport
    transport of wildfire smoke
    Extreme weather events
    Collaboration with:  Philippe Drobinski, CNRS
    Mediterranean cyclones
    Heavy precipitation, strong winds, wildfires, temperature extremes
    boundary layer instability

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  • Picture of Prof. Yinon Rudich

    Prof. Yinon Rudich

    Health effects of atmospheric particulate matter
    Collaboration with:  Prof. Ralf Zimmermann - Helmholtz Center Munich and University of Rostock, Germany Prof. Astrid Kiendler-Scharr - Hemholtz Ceter Juelich, Germany
    Ice nucleation by atmospheric particles
    Collaboration with:  Prof. Ido Braslvski - Hebrew University
    The transport of microorganisms in the atmosphere and their possible biogeochemical effects. Atmospheric microbiome.
    Optical properties of atmospheric organic aerosols
    Collaboration with:  Dr. Steve Brown - NOAA, Boulder CO Prof. Alexander Laskin - Purdue University

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  • Picture of Prof. Dan Yakir

    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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