Center for Water Resources and Environmental Research (International Center for Environmental Resources and Development)
Professor Reza M. Khanbilvardi, Director • Office: Steinman 107 • Tel: 212-650-8200
General Information
The Center for Water Resources and Environmental Research (CWRER) coordinates the resources of the College’s world-class engineering and science faculty as well as those at other CUNY campuses and professional communities to address a broad array of environmental problems.
CWRER is tackling the diverse problems of water resources and environmental issues with broad approaches beginning with research on the sources of natural hazards, pollution movement, surface water and groundwater cleanup, wetland preservation, reservoir protection, environmental remote sensing, hydraulics and hydrology of natural flow systems, non-point source pollution, preservation of ecology, and related topics. Included are both technical and social/political issues arising from these problems.
The Center’s objectives are:
To conduct multi-disciplinary research on protection of the environment and minimization of pollution hazards to water resources, hydrological and ecological systems;
To develop and demonstrate new technologies for the treatment and disposal of natural water supplies and waste water;
To develop robust remote sensing to manage and protect our nation’s national resources;
To cooperate on a global scale to protect the precious resources that sustain human life;
To educate and train personnel for management, supervision and operation of environmental and water resources management systems;
To develop and execute training programs in corporate and community communications, marketing and international business and financial management.
CWRER comprises two divisions:
Water Resources and Environmental Research
In addition to water resources and environmental research, this division focuses on air and water pollution crisis management, remote sensing and global change impact, environmental technology and research, and education and training programs within economic, political and social contexts.
The division also offers educational course work in water resources, environmental engineering and ecology for career development, operator training and public information.
Remote Sensing Science and Technology
A program which provides scholarships to recruit and educate students from underrepresented minorities for professional opportunities within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and to conduct research consistent with NOAA’s mission: environmental assessment; prediction; and stewardship. A multi-institutional center (NOAA-CREST) led by The City University of New York (CUNY), including The City College, Lehman College, the CUNY Graduate Center and Bronx Community College, in collaboration with Hampton University in Virginia, the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, the University of Maryland Baltimore County, Bowie State University in Maryland and Columbia University.
CWRER activities cover the following areas:
Groundwater Problems
Pore-scale and field-scale modeling of contaminant transport in unsaturated and saturated soils
Experimental studies for parameter estimation in porous media
Development of technology for contaminant detection and monitoring in groundwater systems
Waste Treatment Problems
Treatment and disposal of municipal and industrial wastewater and solid waste
Alternative disinfection in wastewater treatment
Surface Water Problems
Application of advanced technology, such as Geographic Information Systems and remote sensing, for hydrological evaluation of watersheds
Development of mathematical models for prediction and evaluation of non-point source pollution
Development of alternatives for proper water resources planning and management
Effect of climate changes on hydraulics and hydrology of water resources
Environmental Remote Sensing
Assessment of regional air quality
Monitoring diverse conditions of coastal and inland waters
Improve climate and environmental observation to predict changes in the Earth’s environment
Land and Coastal Problems
Development of technology for beach protection
Mathematical modeling for evaluation and protection of tidal wetlands
Theoretical and experimental studies of beach erosion
Studies of soil erosion and its control
Land loss processes, such as landslides: study and control
Water Treatment Problems
Chemistry of ozonation and chloramination in combined application
Application of aeration processes for the removal of volatile organics
Removal of lead
Ecological and Health Problems
New methods and technologies of detecting contaminates in the air
Job-related solid particles in the air and their health importance
Studying the fate of radioactive wastes
Pollution ecology of water bodies
Relationship between aquaculture and environment
Geographically, the Center is not only active in the USA, but foreign countries as well. Agreements on multi-national cooperation have been reached with some former republics of the USSR and Macedonia.
Facilities Available for the Center
Hydraulics Laboratory
Soil Mechanics Laboratory
Environmental Engineering Laboratory
Experimental Fluid Mechanics and Aerodynamics Laboratory
Weather Station
Photonics Engineering Laboratories
Environmental Remote Sensing Laboratory
Biology Department Facilities:
Laboratory for Invertebrate Ecology
Laboratory for Microbial Ecology
Laboratory for Genetics of Phytoplankton
Laboratory for Wetland Ecology
Biomathematical Laboratory
Electron Microscope Laboratory
Radiobiology Laboratory
Biological Media and Sterilization Center
Biosolid Mechanics Laboratory
Computing Facilities
New Facilities
Recently three major facilities have been implemented: (a) a state-of-the-art wave tank with fully automated 2-D Laser Doppler Anemometer and Particle Image Velocimetry devices, (b) a mobile laboratory equipped with laser and electronic sensors for field monitoring and pollution detection in natural water bodies, and (c) Geographical Information Science (GIS) laboratory, funded by NASA, with a multimedia classroom facility and computational facilities for remote sensing and GIS applications. These two last additions are believed to be the only ones in the Northeast.
Funding Agencies
Below is a list of some agencies providing funding for the projects carried out by faculty members of the CWRER:
US Department of Agriculture
US Agency for International Development
US Department of Defense
US Department of Transportation
US Army Corps of Engineers
National Science Foundation
NASA
NOAA
EarthWatch
New York City Department of Environmental Protection
New York City Department of Sanitation
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
New York State Institute for Solid Waste Combustion
Suffolk County Department of Public Works
Civilian Research and Development Corporation
Sloan Foundation