Prof. Alexander Yakirevich
Born: 1951, Russia
Academic Qualifications:
    Ph.D. 1981, VNIIGiM, Moscow
    Senior Lecturer, 1999
Academic Positions:
Department of Environmental Hydrology & Microbiology - Senior Lecturer
Research Interests:
Experimental and theoretical investigation of water flow, solute and heat transfer in porous and fractured media; formulation of mathematical models for multiphase and multicomponent flow and transport in the vadose zone and groundwater system; simulation of salt water intrusion problems; simulation of overland flow and stable isotope transport in runoff; estimating mass transfer parameters from laboratory or field measured water and solute distribution data. A combination of analytical and numerical methods is used in these studies.
Research Projects:
"Colloid-facilitated Transport of Contaminants in Natural Subsurfaces: Impact of preferential flow pathways" (2003-2007), 100,000 US$, ISF Grant, PIs: N. Weisbrod and A. Yakirevich.
"Contamination of groundwater and unsaturated zone in the Ramat Ha-Sharon area" (2003-2008), 3,600,000 $, Israeli Water Commisionary Grant, PIs: E. Adar, R. Nativ, O. Dahan, N. Weisbrod and A. Yakirevich.
“Nutrient recycling from organic waste for the protection of water bodies and for production of organic fertilizers” PIs: A. Gross, A. Nejidat, A. Yakirevich. (2007-2009) The Rosenzweig-Coopersmith Foundation, 50,000$.
"Bioremediation of explosives and perchlorate contaminated unsaturated zone above Israel costal aquifer" PIs: Z. Ronen, A.Yakirevich, E. Adar (Israel), M. Kästner, A. Miltner (Germany), 2007-2008, 35,000 EURO, MOST-BMBF.
“Quantifying and Managing Aquifer Salinization ” (2007-2009), 200,000 US$, Grant US AID/CDR, PIs: N. Wiesbrod, A. Yakirevich (Israel), I. Benavent, W. Castillo (Peru) and Dragila, M. I., Noller, J. S., (USA).
Flow patterns at the Ramat-Hovav disposal site to determine drainage network. M. Kouznetsov, A. Yakirevich, S.Sorek, E. Adar (Negev infrastructure foundation, 2008, NIS 118,450)
Abstracts of Current Research:
  • “Nutrient recycling from organic waste for the protection of water bodies and for production of organic fertilizers” : Organic agriculture represents a system of farming management based on natural methods of enhancing soil fertility and resisting diseases, rejection of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and minimization of damage to the environment and wildlife. The aims of the project are: a) Build an efficient N-fertilizer producing system and investigate the physiochemical processes in the system; b)Develop and apply a compartmental mathematical model that describes Nitrogen mass balance transformations;
    c)Use model predictions for up-scaling the system and adjust the system’s efficiency in producing more concentrated nitrate fertilizer.
  • Quantifying and Managing Aquifer Salinization: This project aims to achieve quantitative characterization of the complex hydrological and hydrochemical features in the agricultural area of the Alto Piura Aquifer, seeking to understand, prevent and reduce salinization problems in this aquifer. Preliminary analyses suggested that irrigation is a major source for salinization, we are initiating a set of large-scale laboratory experiments that are aimed at quantifying the relationship between furrow irrigation, commonly used in this area, and the salinization process.
  • Flow patterns at the Ramat-Hovav disposal site to determine drainage network.: The aim of the project is development and application of a compartmental mathematical model to characterize flow in fractured chalk.
Publications:
  • Gross, A. Sklarz, M. Y., Yakirevich, A. and Soares M. I. M.. Small scale recirculating vertical flow constructed wetland (RVFCW) for the treatment and reuse of wastewater. Water Science & Technology 58(2): 487-494 (2008)
  • Magal, E. 1, Weisbrod, N., Yakirevich, A. and Yechlieli.Y.. The Use of Fluorescent Dyes as Tracers in Highly Saline Groundwater Journal of Hydrology 358: 124–133 (2008)
  • Mishurov, M. 1, Yakirevich, A., and Weisbrod, N.. Colloid transport in heterogeneous partially saturated sand column. Environmental Science & Technology 42: 1066–1071 (2008)
  • Fischer, C. , Weisbrod, N. and Yakirevich A.. Colloid transport through saturated sand columns: influence of physical and chemical surface properties on deposition Colloid and Surfaces A: Physicochem. Eng. Aspects 316 : 142–150 (2007)
  • Dahan O., Shani Y., Enzel Y., Yechieli Y., and Yakirevich A.. Direct measurements of floodwater infiltration into shallow alluvial aquifers. Journal of Hydrology 344(3-4): 157-170 (2007)
  • Bernstein, A., Adar, E. Yakirevich, A., Nativ R.. Dilution Tests in a Low-Permeability Fractured Aquifer: Matrix Diffusion Effect. Ground Water 45 (2): 235-241 (2007)
  • Ezra, S., Feinstein, S., Yakirevich, A., Adar, E., Bilkis, I. Retardation of organo-bromides in a fractured chalk aquitard. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology 86 : 195-214 (2006)
Keywords:Salinity, agriculture, Mathematical Model, Porous Media, Flow, hydrology, Numerical Methods, Inverse Problem.
Phones:
  1. Phone: 972-8-6596869
  2. Fax: 972-8-6596909
Email:alexy@bgu.ac.il