Paul Misut is an Environmental Engineer and Scientist Emeritus at the New York Water Science Center.
My work is to plan, direct, and assist in all aspects of design and implementation of groundwater and geochemical projects. I instruct employees in methods of water data collection and analysis, provide technical advice and guidance on analysis methods and tools. I present information to the public and scientists through meetings and conferences. I provide technical reviews for other professionals.
The theme of my research program has become groundwater flow modeling. T My report topics include application of transitional probability-based geostatistics, density-dependent flow modeling, climate change scenario modeling, design of remediation systems, delineations of contributing areas, and coupling of groundwater flow models with geochemical models.
I have worked to transfer my knowledge to the public through development of graphical user interfaces and helped to shape USGS methods for dissemination of modeling data releases. I have advocated for and assisted in the development of the USGS GUI Modelmuse and related codes.
My recent research accomplishments include novel transitional probability methods to represent aquifer heterogeneity in the main water supply aquifer of Long Island, and high density particle tracking simulations to delineate contributing areas of unprecedented smoothness.
Cornell University, Philosophy, Math, B.A., 1988
SUNY Stony Brook, Hydrogeology, M.S., 1991
Cooper Union, Civil Engineering, M.E. 1995
Science and Products
Analysis of Factors Affecting Plume Remediation in a Sole-Source Aquifer System, Nassau County, New York (Northrup Grumman Plume)
Problem: Dissolved volatile-organic compounds (VOCs), including trichloroethylene (TCE), have been identified in a sole-source aquifer near the former Northrop Grumman Bethpage facility and Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant (NWIRP) in Nassau County, N.Y. The Northrop Grumman Bethpage facility and NWIRP are listed as Class II inactive hazardous waste disposal sites (Site Nos. HW130003A and HW
The Use of Solute-transport Methods to Estimate Time-varying Nitrogen Loading Rates to the Peconic Estuary Resulting from Wastewater and Fertilizer Inputs to Groundwater in Suffolk County, New York (Peconic Solute Transport)
Problem The Peconic Estuary of eastern Long Island, New York, is undergoing development as the region transitions from a rural area dependent on agriculture and tourism to a suburban one with a larger year-round population. The glacial and coastal-plain sediments underlying Long Island comprise a sole-source aquifer system that supplies the region’s communities with potable water. The area surrou
Comprehensive Delineation of Groundwater Source Areas and Times-of-travel to Long Island Streams and Estuaries
Problem The discharge of freshwater and associated loading of nutrients and other dissolved constituents from the Long Island aquifer system to surrounding estuaries and their tributaries are increasingly recognized as critical factors in the health of these ecosystems. However, further work is needed to scientifically characterize these factors and present them to the public in an appropriate m
Simulation of Zones of Groundwater Contribution to Three Well Fields Southwest Portion of the Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant, Bethpage, New York
Summary The U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) will conduct simulations using existing aquifer data, including geologic logs from vertical profile borings (VPBs) and well installations, water levels, and pump test data available from the water districts for these production wells. Subsequently USGS will incorporate data from a groundwater pump test and additional data from new VPBs and monitoring w
Detection and Quantification of Oxygenated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (oxy-PAHs) in Groundwater Near the Former Manufactured Gas Plant in Bay Shore, N.Y.
Introduction As a result of storage and disposal practices at a former Manufactured Gas Plant, or MGP, in Bay Shore, NY, a variety of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been detected at high concentrations in the surficial, upper glacial aquifer of Long Island. Levels of PAHs initially detected over 10 years ago were in the parts-per-thousand range within a groundwater contaminant plume.
Assessment of Groundwater Resources to Adapt to Climate Change at Fire Island, New York
Summary Fire Island National Seashore (FIIS) occupies 42 km of the barrier island for which it is named that lies off the southern shore of western and central Suffolk County, Long Island, N.Y. Fire Island is underlain by a complex aquifer system consisting of unconsolidated glacial, lacustrine, deltaic, and marine deposits of clay, silt, sand, and gravel that range in age from Late Cretaceous
Technical Pump-Test Evaluation of Suffolk County Aquifers
Problem - USGS regional framework characterizations have been used effectively in many studies. However, lack of framework accuracy, particularly at smaller scales, continues to cause problems that may involve: (1) sizing of pumps and other aspects of wellfield design and maintenance, (2) projection of local-scale water-level changes, and (3) projection of interactions with other hydrologic str
Simulation of migration of brine and saline water from the flooded Retsof salt mine in the Genesee Valley, New York
Problem - Roof collapses in the Retsof salt mine near Geneseo N.Y. in March and April of 1994 propagated upward through overlying bedrock, forming a 600-ft-long rubble zone or chimney that connected the mine to a glacial aquifer system and created sinkholes at land surface. Fresh water from the glacial aquifers flowed downward into the mine until the mine was completely flooded in January 1996
Simulation of Ground-Water Flow and Chemistry to Evaluate Water-Management Alternatives in Kings and Queens Counties, New York
Water-management alternatives being considered for New York City involve aquifer storage and recovery, or ASR. An ASR system may store surplus water in an aquifer, then later recover this water in times of short supply. The success of an ASR system depends on the quantity and quality of water that can be withdrawn during recovery phases, which are influenced by hydrogeologic, microbiological,
Science and Products
- Publications
- Science
Analysis of Factors Affecting Plume Remediation in a Sole-Source Aquifer System, Nassau County, New York (Northrup Grumman Plume)
Problem: Dissolved volatile-organic compounds (VOCs), including trichloroethylene (TCE), have been identified in a sole-source aquifer near the former Northrop Grumman Bethpage facility and Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant (NWIRP) in Nassau County, N.Y. The Northrop Grumman Bethpage facility and NWIRP are listed as Class II inactive hazardous waste disposal sites (Site Nos. HW130003A and HWThe Use of Solute-transport Methods to Estimate Time-varying Nitrogen Loading Rates to the Peconic Estuary Resulting from Wastewater and Fertilizer Inputs to Groundwater in Suffolk County, New York (Peconic Solute Transport)
Problem The Peconic Estuary of eastern Long Island, New York, is undergoing development as the region transitions from a rural area dependent on agriculture and tourism to a suburban one with a larger year-round population. The glacial and coastal-plain sediments underlying Long Island comprise a sole-source aquifer system that supplies the region’s communities with potable water. The area surrouComprehensive Delineation of Groundwater Source Areas and Times-of-travel to Long Island Streams and Estuaries
Problem The discharge of freshwater and associated loading of nutrients and other dissolved constituents from the Long Island aquifer system to surrounding estuaries and their tributaries are increasingly recognized as critical factors in the health of these ecosystems. However, further work is needed to scientifically characterize these factors and present them to the public in an appropriate mSimulation of Zones of Groundwater Contribution to Three Well Fields Southwest Portion of the Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant, Bethpage, New York
Summary The U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) will conduct simulations using existing aquifer data, including geologic logs from vertical profile borings (VPBs) and well installations, water levels, and pump test data available from the water districts for these production wells. Subsequently USGS will incorporate data from a groundwater pump test and additional data from new VPBs and monitoring wDetection and Quantification of Oxygenated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (oxy-PAHs) in Groundwater Near the Former Manufactured Gas Plant in Bay Shore, N.Y.
Introduction As a result of storage and disposal practices at a former Manufactured Gas Plant, or MGP, in Bay Shore, NY, a variety of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been detected at high concentrations in the surficial, upper glacial aquifer of Long Island. Levels of PAHs initially detected over 10 years ago were in the parts-per-thousand range within a groundwater contaminant plume.Assessment of Groundwater Resources to Adapt to Climate Change at Fire Island, New York
Summary Fire Island National Seashore (FIIS) occupies 42 km of the barrier island for which it is named that lies off the southern shore of western and central Suffolk County, Long Island, N.Y. Fire Island is underlain by a complex aquifer system consisting of unconsolidated glacial, lacustrine, deltaic, and marine deposits of clay, silt, sand, and gravel that range in age from Late CretaceousTechnical Pump-Test Evaluation of Suffolk County Aquifers
Problem - USGS regional framework characterizations have been used effectively in many studies. However, lack of framework accuracy, particularly at smaller scales, continues to cause problems that may involve: (1) sizing of pumps and other aspects of wellfield design and maintenance, (2) projection of local-scale water-level changes, and (3) projection of interactions with other hydrologic strSimulation of migration of brine and saline water from the flooded Retsof salt mine in the Genesee Valley, New York
Problem - Roof collapses in the Retsof salt mine near Geneseo N.Y. in March and April of 1994 propagated upward through overlying bedrock, forming a 600-ft-long rubble zone or chimney that connected the mine to a glacial aquifer system and created sinkholes at land surface. Fresh water from the glacial aquifers flowed downward into the mine until the mine was completely flooded in January 1996Simulation of Ground-Water Flow and Chemistry to Evaluate Water-Management Alternatives in Kings and Queens Counties, New York
Water-management alternatives being considered for New York City involve aquifer storage and recovery, or ASR. An ASR system may store surplus water in an aquifer, then later recover this water in times of short supply. The success of an ASR system depends on the quantity and quality of water that can be withdrawn during recovery phases, which are influenced by hydrogeologic, microbiological, - Data