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PEOPLE
Our people are at the core of what makes the GSI Dead Sea Observatory such a unique and fulfilling place to work. We’re proud of the diversity of our staff, with each member contributing their unique skills to the projects we’re working on. Together, we’ve planned and executed some of the most innovative and cutting edge experiments. Find out more about our team members below.
Prof. NADAV G. LENSKY
Researcher at the Geological Survey of Israel
Head of the Dead Sea Observatory
Adjunct Associate Professor, Inst. of Earth Sci., Hebrew Uni. Jerusalem, Israel
Most of my current research is related to the dynamic responses of the Dead Sea to the negative water balance. We regard the Dead Sea as a "school" or a field scale laboratory to explore the following fields and their inter-relations:
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Evaporation and surface heat fluxes,
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Limnology, thermohaline stratification, diapycnal double diffusion fluxes,
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Evaporitic sedimentology and halite deposition processes,
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Geomorphological processes as a response to base-level decline.
Earlier I studied physical volcanology.
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E-mail: nadavl@gsi.gov.il
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RAANAN BODZIN
Geologist, Expert in geophysical instruments, Technician
B.S. and M.Sc. University of California at Santa Cruz UCSC – Earth Sciences
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Dead Sea monitoring and meteorological stations – building, maintaining, and managing data collection. Cruises, water sampling, ctd profiles. Engineering solutions for Dead Sea equipment deployment and operations. Remotely operated vehicle operations. Scanning electron microscope SEM and EDS X-ray spectroscopy elemental analysis, operations, and management.
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E-mail: rbodzin@gsi.gov.il
ZIV MOR
PhD Student at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Co supervised by Efrat Morin
My study focuses on evaporation and heat fluxes with an emphasis on the effect of spatial variations of salinity over the Dead Sea. I aim to better understand the thermohaline stratification dynamics of the water column in response to freshwater inflows and examine the related spatiotemporal variation in evaporation (and other lake surface- atmosphere interaction) and the form of evaporitic sediment.
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E-mail: ziv.mor@mail.huji.ac.il
ResearchGate
Dr. HAGGAI EYAL
Currently in Post-Doc, GSI - Jerusalem
My study focuses on the redistribution of coarse fluvial and coastal sediments in response to base level fall. I use the globally unique setting of the modern Dead Sea rapid lake level fall as analog for studying global geomorphic processes. In this setting, I am studying the process of sediment transport and redistribution from the synoptic-scale atmospheric conditions that generate flows and sediment transport in channels and along Dead Sea beaches, including the physical-mechanical aspects of the sediment transport process and the active-forming sediment record. Combining observations, measurements, and modeling of these processes to gain insights in the larger global scales.
E-mail: Haggai.eyal@mail.hiji.ac.il
GUY TAU
PhD Student at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Co-supervised by Yehouda Enzel
My study aims to quantify water vapor, CO2, and heat exchange between the eastern water bodies and its overlying atmosphere along the low-lying Jordan Valley, Israel. The valley is quite unique, as it captures both a thermal and salinity gradient – from a salty dead sea in a hyper-arid environment to Lake Kinneret and Hula wetland, characterized by freshwater in a Mediterranean climate. Moreover, these water bodies, formed due to tectonic subduction by the active dead-sea transform fault, are highly sensitive to climate change. This is demonstrated by high and low stands, developed during periods of climate change. Hence, I wish to first understand the modern mechanisms that control these water bodies' evaporation, CO2, latent and sensible heat fluxes. And second, to understand the Jordan Valley paleoenvironment variations during periods of past climate change. To do so, I am using the eddy covariance method, a state-of-the-art approach, that directly measures micrometeorological data, alongside synoptic-scale analysis.
E-mail: Guy.taul@mail.hiji.ac.il
YOAV BALABAN
Industrial Design Student
Industrial Design student at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design
Involved in converging the fields of Design and Science.
By implementing material and visual design, new developments, exploration and creation could unfold.
FORMER TEAM MEMBERS
Dr. LIRAN BEN MOSHE
Fluvial Geomorphology Lab manager
Monitoring, modelling and predicting the response of fluvial system along the Dead Sea shore to the present-day base level lowering.
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E-mail: liranbm@gsi.gov.il
Dr. ALI ARNON
Previous PhD student in our lab, Teacher – physics for high school
My study focused on the unique limnology of the Dead Sea as a hyper-saline, deep lake. I aimed to understand the thermohaline stratification processes and dynamics, focusing on diapycnal double diffusion fluxes. A main challenge was to distinguish and study the relations between the double diffusion salt and heat fluxes and the state of halite saturation along the water column and throughout the seasons. Another part of my study focused on the relations between stratification and internal seiches in the Dead Sea.
Earlier I studied hydrology of the vadose zone.
PhD Thesis: "The Dynamics of the Thermohaline Stratification in a Halite Saturated Deep Lake- the Dead Sea", 28.7.2018
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E-mail: ali.arnon@gmail.com
Dr. IDO SIROTA
Currently in Post-Doc, GFZ - Potsdam, Germany
Previous PhD student in our lab
My study focused on active halite deposition in the Dead Sea. I aim to relate the characteristics of active halite deposition to the environmental and limnological conditions of the Dead Sea. In addition, I aim to implement these findings to the study of ancient halite sequences and hypersaline environments throughout geological history.
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E-Mail: ido.sirota@mail.huji.ac.il
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Researcher position at Haifa University
Previous PhD student in our lab
My study is focused on Hydrogeomorphology, i.e. hydrological processes and features that shape Earth surface, including channel response to base-level fall (inland and in the continental margins), flood effects, channel sinuosity dynamics, and lakes remnants.
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E-mail: elad.dente@mail.huji.ac.il
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ITZHAK HAMDANI
Research assistant
Eddy covariance data analysis.
Analyzing limnological and climatological variables controling the evaporation process in the Dead Sea on different time scales.
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E-mail: itzhak.hamdani@mail.huji.ac.il
AMIR SHAVIT
Research assistant
Bsc student for geology and biology in Ben-Gurion University in the Negev
E-mail: amir.s3107@gmail.com
AMIR MEGIDES
Research assistant
HALLEL LUTZKY
Technician
My study focused on wave forcing effects on coastal aquifer groundwater levels. Studying these effects at oceanic coastal environment is complex, due to significant tidal effects on water levels. Field observations taken from the Dead Sea, a Lake with negligible tide, and from its adjacent gravel coastal aquifer, allow a field scale quantification of these effects.
M.Sc. Thesis: " Wave forcing effects on coastal aquifer groundwater levels: observations from the Dead Sea" July 2018. M.Sc. Ben-Gurion University, Co-supervised by, Eyal Shalev and Noam Weisbrod
E-mail: hallel@gsi.gov.il
ASAF MOR
Research assistant
BSc for geology and environmental studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
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E-mail: abats11@gmail.com
NOAM HARLEV
Research assistant
Took part in DS water samples measurements and data analyses. Graduated Msc. at the Ben-Gurion university in Desalination and water treatment. Currently working on Electrodialitic processes on seawater as part of a pre-treatment for seawater reverse osmosis desalination.
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E-mail: noamharlev1@gmail.com
RONI NEHORAY
PhD and MSc Student at the Bar Ilan University, Co supervised by Itamar Lensky and Steve Brenner
My study focused on the characterization of turbidity and temperature of the Dead Sea by means of field measurements and remote sensing from satellites. I also explored the dynamics of the temperature of the skin layer of the Dead Sea surface by in-situ meteorological and hydrographic measurements from a buoy located near the center of the lake and on shore. I used satellite data and for synoptic tracking of spatial changes in patterns of turbidity and surface temperature and combined drifters for currents tracking.
Ph. D. Thesis (based on 3 Peer Reviewed articles): "Turbidity and Temperature of the Dead Sea Surface: Remote Sensing and In Situ Measurements". 2013.
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E-mail: Roni.nehoray@gmail.com
LIOR HOCHMAN
M.A Student at the Bar Ilan University, Co supervised by Itamar and Nadav Lensky.
My study focused on the turbidity in the Dead Sea using a combination of types of observations: turbidity sensor observations in 2 selected underwater sites (one close to Ein Gedi and the other one in the center of the sea) and remote sensing observations - from both we learned about the diurnal cycles of the upper layers of the Dead Sea. Lab measurements were also taken in order to find a correlation between the Total Suspended Matter (TSM) in the Dead Sea (which contains Halite, Clay, Gypsum and mud) and its turbidity value.
The objective for this work was the fear from potential panoramic damage that the Harvested Salt and RSDSC (Red Sea Dead Sea Conveyor) projects might create.
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​E-mail: liorhochmanster@gmail.com
JONATHAN KEINAN
PhD candidate at the Hebrew University of JerusalemCo supervised by Dr. Yonatan Goldsmith
My research focuses on the mechanisms behind evaporation processes by using stable isotopes: from laboratory to ocean scales. I aim to quantitatively address the correlation between changes of water vapor fluxes and sources with their isotopic composition in order to understand past conditions as well as future changes.
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ROIE EZRATY
Previous MSc student in our lab
Currently in PhD, Non-linear Physics - HUJI - Jerusalem
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My study focuses on the intricate fluid mechanics of the Dead Sea, with emphasis on the crystallization of salt from the water body.
Previous studies involve signal processing from anemometers to improve Eddy-Covariance measurements on floating platforms.
E-mail: Roee.ezraty@mail.huji.ac.il
SHAI ABIR
Previous MSc student in our lab
Eddy covariance data analysis
Studying the the exchange of Heat, water vapor and CO2 between the sea and the Atmosphere boundary layer in the Gulf of Eilat emphasizing on the qualities of the fringing coral reef.
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E-mail: shai.abir@mail.huji.ac.il
YOAV STURLESI
Previous BSc student in our lab
Currently in MSc, Physics - BGU, Beer Sheva
B.Sc. student for Geology and Physics at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
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E-mail: Yoav.sturlesi@mail.huji.ac.il
GIL NOY
Previous BSc student in our lab
Currently in MSc, Geophysics - HUJI, Jerusalem