My projects have involved the application of hydrology, geology, and geophysics to environmental and engineering problems. They include delineating the extent of saltwater intrusion in coastal aquifers, mapping roadsalt plumes, detecting bridge scour, mapping hydrogeologic frameworks, delineating the fractured-rock groundwater system in Manhattan, and mapping depth to bedro
I hold a B.S. in Geology from Hofstra University, a M.S.. in Geology from California State University Fresno, and a Ph.D. in Earth and Environmental Science from the City University of New York Graduate Center. I take a multi-disciplinary approach applying Hydrology, Geology, and Geophysics with a focus on understanding the extent and mechanisms for saltwater intrusion on Long Island, the deposition of complex hydrogeologic frameworks, and quantifying fractured-rock groundwater flow. I recieved the Distinguished Scientific Achievement Award from the New York Federal Executive Board for my work on delineating the fractures, faults, foliation, and groundwater flow in Manhattan's bedrock using advanced borehole geophysical methods in support of the New York City Water Tunnel #3 Project. I have worked for the New York Water Science Center for over 20 years on studies that have helped coastal communities manage their water resources by delineating the extent of saltwater intrusion, improve construction safety and reduce cost overruns during construction of New York City Water Tunnel #3, the new Croton Water Filtration Tunnel, and the leakage in the Rondout West Branch Water Tunnel in Wawarsing NY, map the depth to bedrock in NYC, and delineated the extent of bridge scour at the Sloop Channel Bridge that lead to it's replacement. My ongoing projects include the delineation of the fractured-rock flow system in Wawarsing in support of the planned tunnel leakage repairs, the creation of the highest resolution bedrock maps for NYC in support of it's geothermal energy program, delineation of the saltwater-freshwater interface on Shelter Island NY, and remapping the hydrogeologic framework and delineation of saltwater intrusion throughout Long Island. My current research involves the application of radio signals transmitted between two wells to create two and three dimensional images of conductivity which can be used to map conductive plumes and possibly voids in bedrock.
Science and Products
Groundwater Sustainability of the Long Island Aquifer System
Hydrogeologic-Framework Mapping - Long Island, New York
Saltwater-Interface Mapping - Long Island, New York
Delineation of the Saltwater-Freshwater Interface at Selected Well Locations in the Town of Riverhead, NY
Delineation of the Hydrogeologic Framework and Saltwater-Freshwater Interface and Determination of Water-Supply Sustainability of Long Island, New York
Hydrogeology and Water Quality of the North Shore Aquifer in Locust Valley, Town of Oyster Bay, New York
Delineation of Groundwater Flow, Lithology, Faults, and Fractures Along Existing and Proposed Water Tunnel
Delineation of the Freshwater-Saltwater Interface at Selected Public-Supply Wells Using Advanced Surface and Borehole Geophysical Techniques, in Eastern Suffolk County, New York
Delineation of Rock Fractures, Faults, and Groundwater Flow in the Vicinity of Proposed Water Tunnels, New York City and Southeastern New York
Science and Products
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Groundwater Sustainability of the Long Island Aquifer System
Groundwater sustainability can be best defined as the development and use of groundwater in a manner that can be maintained for an indefinite time without causing unacceptable environmental or socioeconomic consequences. Informed management of the Long Island aquifer system can help ensure a regionally sustainable groundwater resource. The USGS and New York State Department of Environmental...Hydrogeologic-Framework Mapping - Long Island, New York
HomeLong Island is underlain by unconsolidated Holocene deposits, glacial deposits of Pleistocene age, and coastal-plain deposits of Late Cretaceous age. These sediments consist of gravel, sand, silt, and clay underlain by crystalline bedrock of early Paleozoic age (fig. 1). The bedrock is relatively impermeable, and forms the base of the groundwater-flow system on Long Island. The geologic and...Saltwater-Interface Mapping - Long Island, New York
HomeSaltwater intrusion is the most common type of water-quality degradation in coastal-plain aquifers. In coastal areas, the hydraulic head under predevelopment (nonpumping) conditions is higher on land than in the surrounding saltwater embayments; thus, fresh groundwater flows seaward (from areas of high potential to areas of lower potential) and meets saltwater at an equilibrium point...Delineation of the Saltwater-Freshwater Interface at Selected Well Locations in the Town of Riverhead, NY
Problem The Town of Riverhead in the northeastern Suffolk County includes rural farmland and suburbs and is bounded by the Long Island Sound to the north and Peconic Bay to the southeast. Riverhead’s close proximity to saline embayments and its location along the northeastern discharge area for Long Island’s groundwater flow system makes it vulnerable to saltwater intrusion. Several public-supplDelineation of the Hydrogeologic Framework and Saltwater-Freshwater Interface and Determination of Water-Supply Sustainability of Long Island, New York
Problem Long Island’s sole-source aquifer system, which includes the Lloyd, Magothy, Jameco, and upper glacial aquifers, supplies groundwater to over 2.8 million people. As a coastal aquifer system, it is susceptible to saltwater intrusion. Past pumpage and sewering (fig. 1) resulted in increased salinity in most aquifers in all counties (Buxton and Shernoff, 1999; Misut and others, 2004; MisutHydrogeology and Water Quality of the North Shore Aquifer in Locust Valley, Town of Oyster Bay, New York
Problem Perchlorate detected in a shallow supply well within the southern portion of the Locust Valley Water District (LVWD) has prompted interest in determining the possible existence of a deeper confined aquifer (North Shore Aquifer) that may be protected from shallow contamination (fig. 1). Previous USGS studies in this area indicate the northern part of Nassau County has a complex hydrogeologDelineation of Groundwater Flow, Lithology, Faults, and Fractures Along Existing and Proposed Water Tunnel
Problem The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) has asked the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to assist in two major studies: 1) delineation of the source(s) of shallow groundwater and the extent that the Delaware Aqueduct is contributing to local flooding issues, and 2) delineation of the structural, geologic, and hydrologic conditions along proposed tunnel constructionDelineation of the Freshwater-Saltwater Interface at Selected Public-Supply Wells Using Advanced Surface and Borehole Geophysical Techniques, in Eastern Suffolk County, New York
The combination of a complex hydrogeologic framework, narrow land masses surrounded by saltwater, and extensive ground-water public-supply pumpage has produced localized areas of elevated chloride concentrations in ground water. This project uses advanced surface and borehole geophysical methods to determine the extent of saltwater intrusion and road-salt plumes at selected sites in eastern SufDelineation of Rock Fractures, Faults, and Groundwater Flow in the Vicinity of Proposed Water Tunnels, New York City and Southeastern New York
Problem - The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) is constructing or proposing water tunnels under New York City and areas of southeastern New York (Hudson River Basin). These tunnels can intersect faults and fractures that produce large amounts of ground water. For example, one tunnel excavation intersected fractures that produced over 200 gallons per minute of groun - Data
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