Andrew Cohen

Groundwater-Surface Water Interaction Modeling

Chlorinated Solvents and DNAPL, Fate and Transport, Modeling, Sediment and Surface Water / Andrew Cohen

Simulated groundwater discharge to a canal to evaluate whether a migrating plume could contaminate sediment by moving upward through organic-rich deposits. The modeling, conducted with MODFLOW, tested multiple scenarios, including variations in canal water levels, groundwater elevations measured in wells on either side of the canal, and variable sediment permeability. This work was part of […]

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The Importance of Considering Geologic Framework for Data Interpretation

Communication and Education, Forensic Hydrogeology, Site Assessment and Characterization / Andrew Cohen

This video explains why groundwater contamination data cannot be interpreted in isolation from the geologic framework and hydraulic head conditions. Using hypothetical borehole data, it shows how a conventional, overly simplified sedimentary interpretation can lead to incorrect assumptions about groundwater flow and plume behavior. By reinterpreting the same data within the context of a meandering

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Effect of Aquitards on Groundwater Plume Migration and Drinking Water Quality

Communication and Education, Expert Witness and Legal Support, Modeling, PFAS / Andrew Cohen

This abbreviated animation demonstrates a basic groundwater contamination scenario, highlighting the important role of an aquitard. An aquitard is a low-permeability geologic layer (e.g., clay) in limiting the vertical migration of contaminated groundwater. It illustrates how, in the absence of such a protective horizon, pumping from a municipal drinking water supply well can draw

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Introduction to Groundwater Contamination in Fractured Rock

Chlorinated Solvents and DNAPL, Communication and Education, Fractured Rock Hydrogeology / Andrew Cohen

This webinar excerpt explores how contaminants migrate through fractured bedrock aquifers, a critical and complex aspect of hydrogeology. Unlike groundwater flow in unconsolidated materials (such as sand and gravel), fractured rock environments create highly variable and unpredictable pathways for contamination. The video examines a cross-section of fractured sandstone and siltstone, highlighting key hydrogeologic processes,

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Understanding Plume Migration and Depiction Using Maps

Communication and Education, Expert Witness and Legal Support, Fate and Transport, PFAS, Visualization / Andrew Cohen

This short educational video illustrates how PFAS from AFFF (aqueous film-forming foam) migrates through the subsurface and impacts groundwater systems. Designed for a broad audience, including policymakers, attorneys, and the general public, it explains key hydrogeologic principles using a clear visual sequence. You’ll learn: How aquitards can restrict the vertical migration of PFAS, even

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“A Civil Action” – Example Effect of Groundwater Contamination

Communication and Education / Andrew Cohen

The following summary is from the Environmental Hydrogeology course I taught at Montclair State University in 2012. I was not involved in the project/case – it was well before my time. In the 1960’s, the city of Woburn, MA starting using two wells as part of their water supply (Wells G & H, below).

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Modeling Contaminant Transport – NJIT

Chlorinated Solvents and DNAPL, Communication and Education, Fate and Transport, Modeling / Andrew Cohen

Modeling Contaminant Transport, CHE 702 3 credits, Fall 2018 Mondays, 6:00-9:05, FMH 409 Instructor: Dr. Andrew JB Cohen Contact Info: ajbcohen@njit.edu Overview This course focuses on the description, analysis, and prediction of the fate and transport of chemicals in groundwater, soil, and sediment. Principles of contaminant transport and associated mathematical and numerical models will

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Custom 4D Groundwater Data Exploration Tool

Chlorinated Solvents and DNAPL, Forensic Hydrogeology, Fractured Rock Hydrogeology, Site Assessment and Characterization, Unique Analytical Methods, Visualization / Andrew Cohen

This tool was developed in the course of a complex fractured rock site investigation involving more than 1,100 monitoring wells and groundwater samples analyzed for numerous chemical constituents. The site presented significant challenges: multiple contaminant plume sources, migration through dipping and variably oriented fracture zones, the presence of a fault zone, and a highly three-dimensional

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Introduction to GroundwaterU – An Online Library of Educational Videos

Non-Profit / Andrew Cohen

In this webinar, hydrogeologist Andrew Cohen introduces GroundwaterU.org, an open-access platform curating high-quality educational videos on groundwater science, policy, and engineering. He outlines what the website contains and how the user interface, what defines a “high-quality” learning video, and why this initiative fills a critical gap in groundwater education. Cohen emphasizes the importance of multimedia

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Publications & Presentations