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The State University of New York at Stony Brook established the Long Island Groundwater Research Institute (LIGRI) in 1994 to marshal the resources and expertise of the University for the study of groundwater hydrology and chemistry. One of our goals is to bring the results of scientific research to bear on the region's most pressing groundwater problems. Inquiries on all aspects of groundwater hydrology and chemistry are welcome. |
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| The resolution of hydrogeological and groundwater pollution problems requires basic and applied research from a broad array of disciplines. The Institute coordinates and expands the existing potential for research by faculty, staff and students in groundwater hydrology. The Institute maintains close communication with ground-water professionals in the government and private sector in Long Island. Through the University's Center for Regional Policy Studies, a distinguished Advisory Council has been established with representation of agencies with management responsibilities. In 1997 the Institute was formally established by legislative act.
The focus of research is Long Island's aquifer system, which is an ideal natural laboratory. It is self-contained and representative of coastal plain aquifers all along the east coast of the U.S. It has a unique diversity ranging from western Long Island with a densely populated urban environment, through a suburban zone, to farmland, and finally to undeveloped pine barrens in eastern Long Island. Superimposed on each of these zones is a north-south gradient from barrier islands and coastal regions to interior uplands of varied topography. Since the primary flow of groundwater is north and south, there tends to be little intermixing of waters associated with different levels of development. The application of results of high-quality research is essential for the effective management of our groundwater resources. The University has a long history of groundwater research. We are particularly proud of our contributions in:
In addition, the Institute's faculty provides a course of graduate study in groundwater hydrology leading to the degree of Master's of Science. Teachers workshops, technical conferences, and public lectures are also offered by the Institute. The Institute is served by faculty in the Marine Sciences Research Center, the Department of Earth and Space Science, and the Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics. LIGRI FacultyHenry J. Bokuniewicz, Marine Sciences Research Center. Nearshore transport processes; coastal groundwater, salinity intrusion. 516-632-8674 Bruce J. Brownawell, Marine Sciences Research Center. Biogeochemistry of organic pollutants in groundwater. Bioremediation 516-632-9411 J. Kirk Cochran, Marine Sciences Research Center. Marine geochemistry; use of radionuclides as geochemical tracers in ground water. 516-632-8781 James Glimm, Applied Mathematics and Statistics. Biomathematical modeling; computational methods of groundwater modeling. 516-632-8355 Gilbert Hanson, Geosciences. Trace element and isotope geochemistry in groundwater studies. 516-632-8210 Brent Lindquist, Applied Mathematics and Statistics. Environmental fluid modeling; dispersion in porous media. 516-632-8361 Richard J. Reeder, Geosciences. Low-temperature geochemistry in aqueous/solids systems; mineralogy and mineral-solution equilibria. 516-632-8208 Martin Schoonen, Geosciences. Geochemistry of natural waters; kinetics and thermodynamics of low-temperature and hydrothermal water-rock. 516-632-8007 Sergio A. Sanudo-Wilhelmy, Marine Sciences Research Center Aqueous chemistry of trace metals. 516-632-9043 Gordon T. Taylor , Marine Sciences Research Center. Microbial ecology of surfaces; microbial biofouling; bioremediation. 516-632-8688 Teng-fong Wong, Geosciences. Deformation and hydraulic transport in geologic materials; quantitative characterization of pore space. Phone: 632-8212 The Institute is also served by an Advisory Council to help focus the research done at the University and carry those results to practical application. Council membersNicholas J. Bartilucci, Nassau-Suffolk Water Commissioners Association LiaisonsGeorge Proios Suffolk County Executive Office Environmental Community Assistance ConsortiumThe Institute has become a member of ECAC joining the Maxwell School and College of Engineering and Computer Science at Syracuse University, the New York Water Resources Institute at Cornell University and the Darrin Fresh Water Institute at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to assist local communities access institutional expertise and resources to provide outreach and education and support government agencies through a state wide effort. As part of this effort, the Institute has been asked to provide technical information to community groups (ABCO, NEARS) concerned with contamination at Brookhaven National Laboratories. The Institute also provided testimony for a joint legislative assembly hearing on water quality and quality issues sponsored by the Commission on Water Resource Needs, the Environmental Conservation Committee and the Task Force on Food, Farm and Nutrition. Research ProjectsThe Institute has pursued research projects on a broad spectrum of groundwater problems related to Long Island. The following is a partial list of ongoing research projects:
Pine Barrens Research ForumThe Institute co-hosted the fourth Pine Barrens Research Forum together with the Pine Barrens Commission and Brookhaven National Laboratory. The next meeting is scheduled for 12 and 13 October 2000. The proceedings from the Forum of 1996-1997 are available and proceedings from 1998-1999 are in preparation. The August Guerrera AwardThe August Guerrera Award is given top an outstanding first-year graduate student with interests in the hydrology and chemistry of natural waters. This year's recipient is Mr. Daniel O'Rourke. He is studying the seepage of ground-water into coastal, surface waters under the supervision of Dr. Teng-fong Wong. Inquiries may be sent to: Dr. Henry J. Bokuniewicz |
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