Dr. Avner Gross
The Department of Environmental Sciences, Geoinformatics, and Urban Planning and School of Sustainability and Climate Change
Ben Gurion University of the Negev
What do we do
Our goal is to understand how climate change impacts plants, soils, and the ocean, and how these oceanic and land ecosystems can be manipulated to remove and store CO2 from the atmosphere.
Our lab
Our lab is equipped with sophisticated equipment to analyze plant, soil, water, and atmospheric samples.
We also have state-of-the-art incubators and growth chambers that allow us to control environmental conditions to imitate future climate scenarios.
Nutritional changes of plants as a function of CO2 levels
Our research focuses on the influence of atmospheric CO2 concentrations on plant nutritional composition. Many studies suggest that elevated CO2 levels lead to a decrease in the nutritional value
of plants and may be harmful to human nutrition due to a decline in the content of vital nutrients,
vitamins, and proteins. In our lab, we ask how the manmade increase in atmospheric CO2 in the 20th
century (from 280 ppm to 420 ppm) impacted the nutritional value of staple crops such as wheat. We
postulate that the great nutritional dilution of plants has already started. We also go back 50000 years
and examine changes in the nutritional values of uncultured wheat from the ice age (CO2 levels of 180
ppm) through modern times. For this research, we collect ancient seeds from past eras, ranging
from 100 to 50,000 years ago, and cultivate and grow selected wheat lines in a greenhouse
under past, present, and future CO2 levels. We study the changes in wheat nutritional values (called
ionome) as a function of variations in atmospheric CO2 levels – 180, 270, 415, 600, and 850 ppm.
This research is in collaboration with Prof. Ehud Weiss from Bar Ilan University and Prof. Roy Ben David from the Volcani Agricultural Institute.
Nutritional changes of plants as a function of CO2 levels
Our research focuses on the influence of atmospheric CO2 concentrations on plant nutritional composition. Many studies suggest that elevated CO2 levels lead to a decrease in the nutritional value of plants and may be harmful to human nutrition due to a decline in the content of vital nutrients, vitamins, and proteins. In our lab, we ask how the manmade increase in atmospheric CO2 in the 20th century (from 280 ppm to 420 ppm) impacted the nutritional value of staple crops such as wheat. We postulate that the great nutritional dilution of plants has already started. We also go back 50000 years and examine changes in the nutritional values of uncultured wheat from the ice age (CO2 levels of 180 ppm) through modern times. For this research, we collect ancient seeds from past eras, ranging from 100 to 50,000 years ago, and cultivate and grow selected wheat lines in a greenhouse under past, present, and future CO2 levels. We study the changes in wheat nutritional values (called ionome) as a function of variations in atmospheric CO2 levels – 180, 270, 415, 600, and 850 ppm. This research is in collaboration with Prof. Ehud Weiss from Bar Ilan University and Prof. Roy Ben David from the Volcani Agricultural Institute.
Junk Food Earth
Elevated levels of atmospheric CO2 stimulate plant growth but the rise in biomass leads to a decrease in plants’ nutritional value. The nutritional decline can be attributed to two main reasons: 1. The dilution of nutrient concentration in larger biomass. 2. Elevated CO2 concentrations impair the roots' ability to uptake nutrients from a soil environment. These processes collectively contribute to a reduction in the nutritional value of plants, impacting both human nutrition and the overall ecological system. In our research, we investigate the effects of elevated CO2 concentrations on the nutrient status (called ionome) of wild plants in natural ecosystems and crops such as wheat and chickpeas.
We examine whether plants that grow under elevated CO2 levels can bypass the soil and acquire nutrients directly through their foliage via the foliar nutrient uptake pathway to maintain their nutrient status in a future world.
Foliar nutrient uptake pathway as One of the possible solutions to the future problem
Atmospheric particles such as desert dust, volcanic ash, and fire ash are rich in nutrients and play a part in both local and global circulation of nutrients, such as Phosphorus (P), Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), and others. Atmospheric particles contribute nutrients to soils in long-term processes. However, we have found that dust can make a significant contribution to plant nutrition, but mainly via direct foliar uptake of nutrients from dust that is captured on plant foliage. Some leaves efficiently capture and retain the dust on the leaf surface. Subsequently, plant leaves dissolve insoluble nutrients by releasing organic acids that acidify the leaf surface and allow essential nutrients like P, Fe, and Nickel to be taken up through the foliar pathway. Foliar nutrient uptake from dust and ash may become crucial under elevated CO2 conditions which enhance nutrient limitation and inhibit root nutrient uptake pathways. In our research, we carry out large-scale greenhouse and field fertilization experiments with dust and ash under current and future CO2 levels and quantify the contribution of atmospheric particles to plant nutrition, either via the root or foliar pathways. To quantify nutrient uptake from dust we make a novel use of Nd and Sr isotopes that are naturally found in the atmospheric particles and can be used to trace the transfer of nutrients to plants from various sources. This research is in collaboration with Dr. Daniel Palchan from Ariel University and Prof. Marcello Sterenberg from Tel Aviv University.
Dr. Avner Gross
Principal Investigator
I serve as a faculty member in the Dept. of Geography and Environmental Development and the School of sustainability and Climate Change at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. See my publications in google scholar
Anton Lokshin
PhD student
PhD student
My research focuses on the effect of elevated CO2 on plants' nutritional status (ionome). Previous studies have shown that elevated CO2 levels reduce the concentrations of most mineral nutrients in plant tissues, posing major threats to crop quality, nutrient cycles, and carbon sinks in terrestrial agroecosystems. The roots' downregulation of nutrient uptake is the key factor behind this phenomenon. One of the natural solutions to offset this nutritional reduction may be foliar nutrient uptake pathway. We study the impact of natural atmospheric particles such as desert dust, volcanic ash, and fire ash on plant nutrition, via foliar nutrient uptake mechanism, under ambient and elevated CO2 levels. We grew plants under ambient and elevated CO2 levels in growing and open-top chambers in the field. In addition, we apply geochemical tools such as isotope differentiation of Nd and Sr extracted from atmospheric particles, soils, and plants, to follow the nutrient uptake pathways.
Moran Kaminer
PhD student
My study investigates the impact of reduced pH resulting from elevated carbon dioxide levels on the nutritional composition of seagrasses, which play a crucial role in marine ecosystems. In our seagrass laboratory, we cultivate these plants under controlled conditions using an advanced mesocosm system. We introduce varying levels of carbon dioxide in different treatments to lower the pH.
In my research I aim to explore the intricate mechanisms of nutrient cycling within seagrasses, in the context of seagrass decline in our rapidly changing world. My study will focus on evaluating the bioavailability of nutrient in the water column following seagrass decomposition and on calculating nutrient uptake by various plant compartments. Through these objectives, my research seeks to deepen our understanding of the ecological and biogeochemical significance of seagrass decline and the potential effects of it on carbon fixation in marine environments.
I am a biologist with a specialization in marine biology. My scientific journey is driven by a profound curiosity for nature and its fascinating complexity.
Neta Soto
Noa Naiman
MA student
In my research, I aim to investigate the impact of varying carbon dioxide concentrations in historical and future scenarios on influencing the biological carbon pump in the oceans. This will be achieved through the release of phosphorus from diverse sources, including dust, wildfire ash, and volcanic ash, under both reduced and elevated CO2 concentrations. Additionally, I will explore the influence of ocean acidity on the solubility of phosphorus in water.
Tal Vilian
MA student
My name is Tal, and I am currently in my third year of studying Geography and Biology. I embarked on this academic journey to contribute positively to Earth's environment.
My research focuses on exploring the influence of atmospheric particles, including wildfire ash, volcanic ash, and desert dust, on soil respiration—a metric that quantifies the release of CO2 from the soil. Through this study, I aim to deepen our understanding of the intricate interactions between atmospheric components and soil dynamics.
CO2 in the ocean
Another effect of the constant increase in atmospheric CO2 levels is the acidification of the ocean. We hypothesize that ocean acidification can drive negative feedback that may enhance the biological ocean carbon pump by promoting the dissolution of phosphorus from atmospheric particles such as desert dust, fire ash, and volcanic ash that are deposited into the oceans and fuel algae fertilization. We run a series of ocean mesocosm and microcosm experiments in our lab under past, current, and future CO2 levels and aim to document the rates of phosphorus dissolution from atmospheric particles as a function of ocean pH values and their impact on the carbon pump.
This research is in collaboration with Dr. Gilad Antler from Ben Gurion University.
Carbon sequestration
Carbon sequestration is a critical process in mitigating the adverse effects of rising atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and combating climate change. It involves the capture and long-term storage of carbon, primarily in the form of carbon dioxide, preventing its release into the atmosphere. Natural systems like forests and oceans play a crucial role in carbon sequestration by absorbing and storing carbon through photosynthesis and other biological processes. Additionally, technological approaches, such as carbon capture and storage (CCS), aim to capture emissions from industrial sources and store them underground to prevent their contribution to the greenhouse effect. Effective carbon sequestration is vital for maintaining a balance in the carbon cycle, reducing the impact of global warming, and fostering a more sustainable and resilient environment.
Ocean fertilziation
To mitigate climate change, we will have to remove billions of tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere each year. Many carbon dioxide removal techniques are being developed all over the world. Some of the solutions can come from looking back at our geological records, which have shown that the deposition of nutrient-rich dust and volcanic ash led to massive algal blooms in the oceans that enhanced the oceanic biological carbon pump. The pump sucked billions of tons of CO2 from the atmosphere and cooled the Earth. In our laboratory, we are seeking to imitate nature and we are working on finding the "magic dust" i.e., a composition of different natural particles that will serve a dual role: provide essential nutrients necessary for algal blooms such as iron and phosphorus and act as a submarine that will transport the algae to the ocean floor, effectively sequestering carbon for thousands of years.
Carbon storage and soil respiration
On a global scale, soils store more carbon than the atmosphere and vegetation combined. Microbes residing in the soil control the fate of organic matter in the soil through microbial respiration. Microbial respiration is influenced by various factors, including the deposition of atmospheric particles such as dust, volcanic ash, and wildfire ash onto the soil. In our laboratory, we examine the impact of desert dust, volcanic dust, and wildfire ash on soil microbial. This research is conducted by monitoring the respiration of soil microbes using sensors that provide real-time data on microbial activity in the soil through the measurement of soil carbon emissions in situ. These measurements are taken under various soil conditions in the laboratory and in the field. The lab work enables us to understand the underlying factors that enhance or restrict microbial respiration, while field measurements provide a broader perspective on real-world processes. This research is particularly significant due to the immense size of the soil carbon reservoir and the sensitivity of microbes to small changes in the soil. This research is in collaboration with Dr. Elad Levintal from Ben Gurion University.
Mrs. Maya Starr. Head of the Climate Change and Environment Department at the Municipality of Jerusalem.
Dr. Sodeep Tiwari, Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Nebraska, USA.
Mrs. Naama Rodnitzky, employed at an environmental consulting company.
Dr. Moshe Halperin, researcher at the Volcanic Center.