Long Island Groundwater Research Institute

The State University of New York at Stony Brook created 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. LIGRI was established in NY State Law (Chapter 654) in 1997. The resolution of hydrogeological and groundwater pollution problems requires basic and applied research from a broad array of disciplines. The Institute can coordinate the existing potential for research by faculty, staff and students in groundwater hydrology as needed.

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:

groundwater modeling,
geochemical studies,
groundwater impacts on coastal environments,
bioremediation and biodegradation of pollutants.

In addition, the faculty provide a course of graduate study in groundwater hydrology leading to the degree of Master’s of Science. The Institute is served by faculty in the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, the Department of Earth and Space Sciences, and the Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics.

Archive of 2001 – 2016 Meeting Minutes

Environmental Community Assistance

Other inquiries can be sent to the New York State Center for Clean Water Technology.

Publications

Tamborski, J., C. Brown, H. Bokuniewicz, J. K. Cochran and E. T. Rasbury, 2020, Investigating Boron Isotopes for Identifying Nitrogen Sources Supplied by Submarine Groundwater Discharge to Coastal Waters, Frontiers of Environmental Science 11, https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2020.00126

Tamborski, J.J., J. Kirk Cochran and H J. Bokuniewicz, 2017. “Submarine groundwater discharge driven nitrogen fluxes to Long Island Sound, NY: Terrestrial vs. marine sources. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta: 218:40-57.

Valentí, R., J. Garcia-Orellana, G, Trezzi, P. Masqué, T. Stieglitz, H. Bokuniewicz, J. K. Cochran and E. Berdalet, 2017. Using the radium quartet to quantify submarine groundwater discharge and porewater exchange, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 196:58-73. DOI: 10.1016/j.gca.2016.09.016

Paulino, S. and H. Bokuniewicz, 2017. Thermal Infrared Indications of Submarine Groundwater Discharge (SGD) in the Northern Coast of Jamaica Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 49, No.6. doi: 10.1130/abs/2017AM-306974

Debbie-Ann D.S. Gordon-Smith D,D.S., R.N. Peterson, L. E. Peterson, S. Paulino and H. Bokuniewicz, 2017. Submarine Groundwater Discharge and Associated Nutrient Fluxes to the North Coast of Jamaica. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 49, No.6. doi: 10.1130/abs/2017AM-306791

Joseph J. Tamborski, J.J., J. Kirk Cochran and H J. Bokuniewicz, 2017.Application of 224Ra and 222Rn for evaluating seawater residence times in a tidal subterranean estuary. MarineChemistry 189 (2017) 32–45.

Renfro, A.A., J. K. Cochran, D. J. Hirschberg, H. J. Bokuniewicz, and S. L. Goodbred, 2016. The sediment budget of an urban coastal lagoon (Jamaica Bay, NY) determined using 234Th and 210Pb, Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 180: 136-149.

Rodellas V., J. Garcia-Orellana, G. Trezzi1, P. Masqué, T. C. Stieglitz2,6, H. Bokuniewicz, J. K. Cochran, E. Berdalet, 2016.Using the radium quartet to distinguish sources of submarine groundwater discharge: terrestrial groundwater vs seawater recirculation through sediments, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 196:58-73.

Tamborski et al. 2016 “Investigation of submarine groundwater discharge to tidal rivers: evidence for regional and local scale seepage. Hydrological processes 31: 716-730.

Tamborski, J. J., A. D. Rogers, H. J. Bokuniewicz, J. K. Cochran, C. R. Young, 2015. Identification and quantification of diffuse fresh submarine groundwater discharge via airborne thermal infrared remote sensing, Remote Sensing of Environment 171: 202–217.

Bokuniewicz, H.J., J. K. Cochran, J. Garcia-Orellana, V. Rodellas, J. W. Daniel, and C. Heilbrun, 2015. Intertidal percolation through beach sands as a source of 224,223Ra to Long Island Sound, New York, and Connecticut, United States, Journal of Marine Research
73:123–140.

Rapaglia J., C. Grant, H. Bokuniewicz, T. Pick, and J. Scholten, 2015. A GIS typology to locate sites of submarine groundwater discharge. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 145: 10-18.

Young, C., J. Tamborski, H. Bokuniewicz, 2015. Embayment Scale Assessment of Submarine Groundwater Discharge Nutrient Loading and Associated Land Use. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 158: 20-30.

Bokuniewicz, H., H. Walker and R. Coffey. 2014. Flooding Impacts on Freshwater Distribution Systems in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, NY State RISE TR-14-15.

Carretero, S; J. Rapaglia, H. Bokuniewicz, E. Kruse, 2014. Impact of sea level rise on saltwater intrusion length into the coastal aquifer of Partido De La Costa Argentina, Journal of Coastal Research.

Coffey, Ruth 2014. Submarine groundwater discharge as an integral environmental “currency” limiting population and development within the ecosphere of small islands. Ph.D. Dissertation, Stony Brook University, School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences.

Coffey, R. and Bokuniewicz, H.J. Calculating the average submarine groundwater discharge from discrete, tidally, modulated measurements (Abstract ID: 16573) 2014 AGU Ocean Sciences Conference 23-28 February 2014, Hawaii Convention Center, Honolulu Hawaii.

Durand, J. 2014. Characterization of the Spatial and Temporal Variations of Submarine Groundwater Discharge Using Electrical Resistivity and Seepage Measurements. 181 pp.

Durand J. M., Wong T-F. 2014. Freshwater/Seawater Interface Dynamics in the Intertidal Zone at West Neck Bay, Shelter Island, NY. 21st Conference on “Geology of Long Island and Metropolitan New York” Stony Brook University, April 12.

Finkelstein, J. 2014. Delineation, distribution, and recent history of groundwater use in New York State. MS thesis, Stony Brook University, Geosciences.

Garcia-Orellana, J. J.K. Cochran, H. Bokuniewicz, J.W.R. Daniel, V. Rodellas, C. Heilbrun, 2014. Evaluation of 224Ra as a tracer for submarine groundwater discharge in Long Island Sound (NY) Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 141: 314–330.

Goddard, C. and H. Bokuniewicz 2014. Influence of bacteria in compost on groundwater quality. 2014 Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science. National Conference, Los Angeles: October 16- 18^th 2014.

Pritt, A. 2014. Groundwater nitrate contamination remediation through permeable reactive barriers on the Forge River, Long Island, New York.

Rapaglia J., C. Grant, H. Bokuniewicz, T. Pick and J. Scholten, 2014. A GIS typology to locate sites of submarine groundwater discharge. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, submitted.

Reutlinger, S. P. 2014. Sorption of Ammonium Ion via Cation Exchange. MS thesis, Hydrogeology Program. Geosciences Stony Brook University: 22pp.

Tamborski, J. JK Cochran, J.K, H.J. Bokuniewicz, A.D. Rogers. Identification of fresh submarine groundwater discharge using thermal infrared imagery. ASLO: Granada, Spain 2/24/2015 @ 15:30.

Tamborski J., 2014. Seasonal Variability of Submarine Groundwater Discharge along the North Shore of Long Island resolved Using RN-222. 21st Conference on “Geology of Long Island and Metropolitan New York” Stony Brook University, April 12.

Tamborski, J. J.K. Cochran, Henry Bokuniewicz, A. Deanne Rogers. The role of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) in promoting hypoxia in Smithtown Bay, NY AGU Ocean Sciences Conference 23-28 February 2014 / Hawaii Convention Center, Honolulu, Hawaii.

Thorpe, M.T. and C. Young, 2014. The Geochemistry of Vanadium within the Subterranean Estuary of Stony Brook Harbor, NY. 21st Conference on “Geology of Long Island and Metropolitan New York” Stony Brook University, April 12.

Tonjes, D.D. and O. Aphale, 2014. The Variable Water Table, Suffolk County, New York. 21st Conference on “Geology of Long Island and Metropolitan New York” Stony Brook University, April 12.

Young, C., J. Tamborski and H. Bokuniewicz, 2015. Embayment Scale Assessment of Submarine Groundwater Discharge Nutrient Loading and Associated Land Use, Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science (in press).

Young, C.R., G.N.Hanson and K. Kroeger 2013, Limited dentrification in glacial deposit aquifers having thick unsaturated zones, Hydrology Journal 21:1773-1786.

Inquiries may be sent to:

Dr. Henry J. Bokuniewicz
Director of the Groundwater Institute
School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY 11794-5000
631-632-8674 / (Fax) 631-632-8820
Henry.Bokuniewicz@stonybrook.edu