- Crystal Structures and Properties
- Geological and Geochemical Analysis
- Radioactive element chemistry and processing
- Chemical Synthesis and Characterization
- Nuclear materials and radiation effects
- Clay minerals and soil interactions
- Mineralogy and Gemology Studies
- X-ray Diffraction in Crystallography
- Geochemistry and Geologic Mapping
- High-pressure geophysics and materials
- earthquake and tectonic studies
- Metal Extraction and Bioleaching
- Marine and environmental studies
- Hydrocarbon exploration and reservoir analysis
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Geochemistry and Elemental Analysis
- Advanced Condensed Matter Physics
- Crystallization and Solubility Studies
- Solid-state spectroscopy and crystallography
- Astro and Planetary Science
- Methane Hydrates and Related Phenomena
- Concrete and Cement Materials Research
- Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Studies
- Pigment Synthesis and Properties
- Zeolite Catalysis and Synthesis
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
2015-2025
University of Silesia in Katowice
2021
Abstract Natural phosphides - the minerals containing phosphorus in a redox state lower than zero – are common constituents of meteorites but virtually unknown on Earth. Herein we present first rich occurrence iron-nickel terrestrial origin. Phosphide-bearing rocks exposed three localities surroundings Dead Sea, Levant: northern Negev Desert, Israel and Transjordan Plateau, south Amman, Jordan. Seven from ternary Fe-Ni-P system have been identified with five them, NiP 2 , Ni 5 P 4 P, FeP...
The Mottled Zone (MZ) or Hatrurim Formation, which occurs near the Levantine Transform in South Levant, has been studied during last 150 years but its origin remains debatable. Complex/Complexes (MZC/MZCs) consist of brecciated carbonate and low-temperature calcium-hydrosilicate rocks, include unusual high- ultra-high-temperature low-pressure (HT-LP) metamorphic mineral assemblages. MZ regarded as a product combustion bituminous chalks Ghareb Fm. Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) age. In this paper...
Harmunite, naturally occurring calcium ferrite CaFe2O4, was discovered in the Hatrurim Complex of pyrometamorphic larnite rocks close to Jabel Harmun, Judean Desert, West Bank, Palestinian Autonomy, Israel. The new mineral occurs pebbles pseudo-conglomerate, cement which consists intensely altered larnite-bearing rocks. Srebrodolskite, magnesioferrite, and harmunite are intergrown forming black porous aggregates central part pebbles. Larnite, fluorellestadite, ye’elimite, fluormayenite,...
Abstract This paper is a first detailed report of natural hexagonal solid solutions along the join Fe2P–Ni2P. Transjordanite, Ni2P, Ni-dominant counterpart barringerite (a low-pressure polymorph Fe2P), new mineral. It was discovered in pyrometamorphic phosphide assemblages Hatrurim Formation (the Dead Sea area, Southern Levant) and named for occurrence on Transjordan Plateau, West Jordan. Later on, mineral confirmed Cambria meteorite (iron ungrouped, fine octahedrite), it likely occurs CM2...
Abstract In anorthite-diopside-tridymite paralava of the Hatrurim Complex, Daba-Siwaqa, Jordan, phosphides from two facies environments were found. Large xenomorphic phosphide aggregates, presented by minerals barringerite-transjordanite series, murashkoite and zuktamrurite, noted at intimate contact with host rocks. Moreover, paralava, composed large diopside crystals up to 1 cm in size cemented hydrosilicates, zeolites calcite, are enriched phosphides. facies, it was possible observe...
Chromatite (CaCrO4, tetragonal) is mainly known from Cr6+-contaminated soils associated with chromium ore processing residue. This extremely rare mineral was found at the Nabi Musa locality (Judean Desert, Israel), in a peculiar rock complex of Mottled Zone. We have explored possible mechanisms responsible for leaching Cr6+ natural rocks, by means field observations, batch experiments, thermodynamic modeling, and mineralogical analyses rocks (XRPD, EMPA, SEM, FTIR, optical microscopy). A...
Ye'elimite-larnite rocks in the Hatrurim formation of Negev Desert, Israel, are natural analogs belite sulfoaluminate (BSA) cement clinkers. They have been produced by ultrahigh-temperature combustion metamorphism at ambient pressure a calcareous sedimentary precursor. Their mineralogy consists 35-50 vol% β-Ca2SiO4, 15-20 ye'elimite, 7-15 ferrites, and fluorapatite and/or fluorellestadite. A few grains hatrurite (Ca3SiO5) α′-Ca2SiO4 observed as well. The composition α′- β-Ca2SiO4 polymorphs...
Abstract Zadovite, BaCa 6 [(SiO 4 )(PO )](PO ) 2 F ( R 3 m , a = 7.0966(1) Å, c 25.7284(3), V 1122.13(3) Å Z 3) and aradite, )(VO )] (VO 7.1300(1), 26.2033(9) 1153.63(6) are two new mineral species of novel modular structure type related closely to the nabimusaite, KCa 12 (SiO (SO O F. Both minerals occur in paralavas enclosed pyrometamorphic rocks Hatrurim Complex, Negev desert, Israel. Zadovite aradite colourless, transparent with white streak, have vitreous lustre an uneven fracture....
Abstract Cyclophosphates are a class of energy-rich compounds whose hydrolytic decomposition (ring opening) liberates energy that is sufficient for initiation biomimetic phosphorylation reactions. Because that, cyclophosphates might be considered as likely source reactive prebiotic phosphorus on early Earth. A major obstacle toward adoption this hypothesis have so far not been encountered in nature. We herein report the discovery these minerals terrestrial environment, at Dead Sea basin...
Abstract Mariakrite is a new mineral in the hydrotalcite supergroup, and member of novel family layered double hydroxides, or LDH. It first reported LDH with dithioferrate, [Fe3+S2]− role an interlayer anion, cementitious Ca-aluminate (AFm phase) intercalated sulfide, sulfide-intercalated completely solved crystal structure. was discovered late hydrothermal assemblages confined to pyrometamorphic lithologies Hatrurim Formation, Negev Desert on Israeli side Dead Sea. The forms saber-like...
Zoharite (IMA 2017-049), (Ba,K)6 (Fe,Cu,Ni)25S27, and gmalimite 2019-007), ideally K6□Fe2+24S27, are two new sulfides of the djerfisherite group. They were discovered in an unusual gehlenite–wollastonite paralava with pyrrhotite nodules located Hatrurim pyrometamorphic complex, Negev Desert, Israel. build grained aggregates confined to peripheric parts nodules, where they associate pentlandite, chalcopyrite, chalcocite, digenite, covellite, millerite, heazlewoodite, pyrite rudashevskyite....
Abstract The new mineral nabimusaite, KCa 12 (SiO 4 ) (SO 2 O F ( R 3 m , a = 7.1905(4), c 41.251(3) Å, V 1847.1(2) Å Z 3), has been discovered in larnite-ye' elimite nodules of pyrometamorphic rocks the Hatrurim Complex. Nabimusaite is colourless, transparent with white streak, vitreous lustre and does not show luminescence. It brittle, but shows pronounced parting imperfect cleavage along (001). uniaxial (–), ω 1.644(2), ε 1.640(2) (589 nm), nonpleochroic, Mohs' hardness ∼5 calculated...
Abstract Two new barium-bearing minerals: gurimite, Ba 3 (VO 4 ) 2 (IMA2013-032) and hexacelsian, BaAl Si O 8 (IMA2015-045) were discovered in veins of paralava cutting gehlenite-flamite hornfels located the Gurim Anticline Negev Desert, Israel. Gurimite hexacelsian occur oval polymineralic inclusions are associated with gehlenite, pseudowollastonite or wollastonite, rankinite, flamite, larnite, schorlomite, andradite, fluorapatite, fluorellestadite, kalsilite, cuspidine, aradite, zadovite...