Article
Engineering, Geological
Ruilang Cao, Shangxin Feng
Summary: This study utilized a combination of survey methods to investigate geological hazard zones in karst terrains before grouting programs, defining necessary stratigraphic characteristics and determining appropriate grouting parameters for successful completion of grouting projects. The data obtained from the combined methods led to accurate and practical survey results.
SOIL MECHANICS AND FOUNDATION ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Geography, Physical
Matanya Hamawi, Liran Goren, Amit Mushkin, Tsafrir Levi
Summary: Rectangular drainage networks, characterized by right-angle bends and confluences, are often associated with orthogonal sets of fractures. This study investigates the linkages between rectangular drainages and orthogonal fractures in the hyper-arid Ami'az Plain in Israel. Field surveys and analysis of high-resolution airborne LiDAR data reveal that the subaerial tributaries of the canyon system and the strike of the clastic dikes have similar orientations. Subsurface mapping and field experiments show that caves and sinkholes in the Ami'az Plain are spatially associated with clastic dikes, and caves are formed through piping erosion along dikes. These findings suggest that clastic dikes serve as efficient infiltration pathways and play a critical role in the evolution of drainage patterns.
EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Oriane Georges, Sara Fernandez, Jose L. Martinez, Eva Garcia-Vazquez
Summary: The Dead Sea and the Red Sea are characterized by extreme hydrographic features, with the former experiencing shrinkage. Research suggests that the introduction of water from the Red Sea may pose a threat to the Dead Sea ecosystem, particularly due to the high likelihood of harmful algae entering the Dead Sea. This study highlights the real risk of losing the unique biodiversity of the Dead Sea if the water conveyance project proceeds.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sibylle Vey, D. Al-Halbouni, M. Haghshenas Haghighi, F. Alshawaf, J. Vuellers, A. Guentner, G. Dick, M. Ramatschi, P. Teatini, J. Wickert, M. Weber
Summary: Many studies have shown the sensitivity of our environment to manmade changes, particularly the impact on atmospheric and hydrological processes. The effect on Solid Earth processes like subsidence is not as straightforward, but in the Dead Sea region, the climatic forcing is strong and freshwater overuse is massive. Observations over a 3-year period have linked high evaporation and subsequent drop in the Dead Sea lake level with high subsidence rates, revealing a synchronous behavior with atmospheric and hydrological changes with a two-month time lag.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Geography, Physical
Peteris Dzerins, Janis Karuss, Kristaps Lamsters, Jurijs Jeskins, Arturs Kelpe
Summary: This study investigates possibly active karst regions near the Baltic states using a combination of ground-penetrating radar, electrical resistivity tomography, and conventional boreholes. The results reveal the presence of 15 sinkholes and 140 potential sinkholes under the bog, with higher electrical resistivity anomalies and disturbed peat layering indicating relatively younger sinkholes. These findings highlight the importance of assessing geohazards in this area, which have not been previously noticed despite their activity and widespread karst processes.
EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Itay J. Reznik, Ittai Gavrieli
Summary: Considerable landscape changes due to a planned salt-harvest disposal project in the unique Dead Sea environment can be mitigated using the geochemical and engineering solution presented in this study. The study examines the feasibility of dissolving and disposing of the dredged halite in a dissolved state in the Dead Sea using seawater or desalination reject brine. The results show that the high solubility and fast dissolution kinetics of halite in seawater/brine are sufficient for disposal.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
A. Haddad, C. Chiarabba, M. Lazar, A. Mazzini, A. Polonia, L. Gasperini, M. Lupi
Summary: The Dead Sea Fault (DSF) is a significant continental transform fault separating the African and Arabian plates, leading to extensive volcanic activity in Northern Israel. Using earthquake tomography, we observed a prominent high Vp/Vs anomaly at a depth of 9 km, indicating the presence of cooling melts. We propose that prolonged transtension along the DSF resulted in crustal thinning, facilitating the emplacement of magmatic bodies. Our findings provide compelling evidence for rifting in segments of the DSF and identify the potential source of magmatism in the area.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Rita Tufano, Luigi Guerriero, Mariagiulia Annibali Corona, Giuseppe Bausilio, Diego Di Martire, Stefania Nisio, Domenico Calcaterra
Summary: The study updates the sinkhole inventory and conducts a susceptibility assessment in Naples, Italy, revealing an increasing trend in sinkhole events over the years. The research finds that sinkholes are concentrated in the central sector of the city, which is linked to an extensive network of underground tunnels and cavities. The analysis also shows a clear correlation between monthly rainfall and the number of triggered sinkholes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Amit G. Reiss, Jiwchar Ganor, Matanya Hamawi, Ittai Gavrieli
Summary: Authigenic processes in aqueous environments, such as mineral precipitation, can lead to turbidity that affects the natural environment and industrial processes. Monitoring turbidity is crucial for determining water quality and tracking industrial processes. However, the dynamic nature of turbidity, especially in relation to processes like gypsum precipitation, requires further study. The proposed Red Sea-Dead Sea project aims to slow down the decline in the Dead Sea's water level by desalinating seawater and conveying reject brine, potentially leading to gypsum precipitation and increased turbidity. The study highlights the importance of monitoring and studying authigenic processes in large-scale natural systems for potential impacts on water bodies like the Dead Sea.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mohammad Al-Harahsheh, Raghad Al-Khatib, Aiman Al-Rawajfeh
Summary: This study investigated the potential of using the Dead Sea environment as a carbon dioxide storage site. It was found that Dead Sea water is a suitable environment for sequestering CO2, with its storage capacity increasing with pressure and no precipitation observed even at high CO2 pressures.
JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pavel Kishcha, Boris Starobinets
Summary: Based on METEOSAT geostationary satellite data, spatial heterogeneity in Dead Sea surface temperature is more pronounced in summer than in winter, with different daily temperature ranges. This may be associated with inhomogeneity in evaporation.
Article
Polymer Science
Yonah Maor, Pnina Shor, Zeev Aizenshtat
Summary: The Dead Sea Scrolls are considered the most important archaeological find of the 20th century, with significant religious, historical, and linguistic importance. Research suggests that the browning and degradation of the scrolls align with theories developed from artificially aged samples.
POLYMER DEGRADATION AND STABILITY
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Yin Lu, Jasper Moernaut, Nicolas Waldmann, Revital Bookman, G. Ian Alsop, Aurelia Hubert-Ferrari, Michael Strasser, Amotz Agnon, Shmuel Marco
Summary: The research found that variable sedimentation rates are not a preconditioning factor for earthquake-triggered mass failure deposits from the Dead Sea depocenter over the past 220 kyr. It also showed that earthquake-triggered mass failures can occur at any lake-level state in the centennial-to-decadal scale, while they are more frequent when lake levels were high and punctuated by large-amplitude fluctuations at the orbital- and millennial-scale.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Ahmad Alsabbagh, Sewar Aljarrah, Majdi Almahasneh
Summary: This study presents a promising approach for extracting lithium from Dead Sea brine with high Mg2+/Li+ ratio, using trisodium phosphate as a precipitating reagent. The optimization process resulted in enriching lithium concentrations from 30-40 mg/L to 1000-1700 mg/kg in the solid precipitate, with over 40% of lithium extracted. The effectiveness of the method was demonstrated by testing on synthetic brine, showing a 55% extraction rate and over 50 times enrichment in lithium concentration.
MINERALS ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Geography, Physical
Thibault Cavailhes, Herve Gillet, Lea Guiastrennec-Faugas, Thierry Mulder, Vincent Hanquiez
Summary: This study reports the discovery of abyssal giant depressions located at the toe of the Bahamian carbonate platform, along the Blake Bahama structurally-controlled Escarpment (BBE). The depressions are elliptical in shape, with diameters ranging from 255 m to 1819 m. The density of the depressions increases at the intersection of recognized structural lineaments.