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Long Island Groundwater Research Institute

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    145 Endeavour Hall, Stony Brook University

    11794-5000 Stony Brook

    United States

Organization profile

Organization profile

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.

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.