Dept. of Geosciences Colloquium: Lake Kinneret in a Changing Environment

Zoom: https://tau-ac-il.zoom.us/j/83294569872?pwd=WmdPUWRPdGVQejIvcXhsQmFJY094UT09

​Abstract:

Located in a highly sensitive subtropical climate area and a densely populated area, Lake Kinneret is poised to undergo both natural and human-induced transformations in the coming decades. Lake Kinneret is thermally stratified throughout most of the year and mixes thoroughly each winter when the epilimnion (upper layer) water temperature reaches equilibrium with the hypolimnion (bottom layer) water temperature by surface cooling and turbulence. A 3D hydrodynamic model, forced by regionalatmospheric RCP4.5 climate change scenario spanning from 2010-2070, shows continuous warming followed by abrupt cooling of the lake around the year 2065. This result, presumably due to enhanced latent heat loss, suggests a restrain of the dramatic anticipated change in the lake stratification. Additionally, the sequence of drought periods and the expected future rise in water demands from Lake Kinneret formed the basis for the government's decision to channel desalinated water to the lake to ensure its operational functionality at high levels. Using the above hydrodynamical model together with field observations, an examination of scenarios involving the flow of treated desalinated water into the lake via the natural course of the Tzalmon Stream was conducted and shown.

Event Organizer: Dr. Roy Barkan