Paul P. Mathisen - Projects
Some potential MQP topic areas
1. "Groundwater Remediation at the Otis Air Force
Base (OAFB), Falmouth, MA"
Collaboration with United States Geological Survey and
Installation Restoration Program at OAFB
Collaboration with United States Geological Survey and Installation
Restoration Program at OAFB. Possible topics include use of
groundwater models to evaluate the effectiveness of pump and treat
systems, the use of bioremediation and in-situ processes to clean up
contaminated groundwater. Students interested in working on
groundwater contamination problems are encouraged to consider topics in
this area.
2. " Fish passage in rivers
Many dams are located on rivers throughout the United States. These
dams often impact that ecosystem and do not allow for fish to follow their
natural migration routes. Projects in this area are intended to address
these problems by developing solutions to allow for fish passage at these
dams. A recent project concentrated on fish passage at a dam along the
Quinapoxet River in Holden, MA. This project involved hydrologic and
hydraulic analyses along with a design to accommodate fish passage at
this dam. Additional projects for next year include a possible
continuation of this project (including the assessment and design of a
modification for the Metropolitan Boston water supply system, along with
another possible project to be completed along the 10-mile river in
Attleborough, MA.
3. " Water quality of urban streams
Streams in urban areas invariably have poor water quality due to
high loads of contaminants and sediments in the runoff from these
areas. Water resources managers often implement various techniques known
as Best Management Practices (BMPs) to alleviate these problems.
However, the processes governing these problems are complex and not well
known. It is often difficult to quantify and characterize the sediment
and contaminant loads in these areas. Furthermore, effectiveness of the
BMPs is often not quantitatively known.
Project opportunities for 2006/7 include topics addressing urban
runoff and urban BMPs. Previous MQPs have addressed comtamination in
Salisbury Pond, which is located adjacent to WPI in Institute Park
A possible MQP involves the design of constructed wetland along with
shoreline modifications to enhance the value of this resource. A number
of stakeholders in this watershed (including Norton Co., Tighe and
Bond Engineers, Inc, and the Blackstone Headwaters Coalition) are working
to restore Salisbury Pond and other local water resources systems.
Projects in this area will include close interaction with these
organizations.
A Few Examples of Previous Major Qualifying Projects
Fish Passage:
"Facilitation of Fish Passage on the Quinapoxet River ",
2004/5, by Hunter Bennett-Daggett, Janet Moonan, and Paul Ruszala,
Collaboration with the Alden Research Laboratory, Inc., US Fish and
Wildlife Service and the Mass Division of Resources and Recreation.
Groundwater remediation:
"Long term Plan for Remediation of a Contaminated
Groundwater Plume", 2002/3, by Julie Forcier, Eric Kenney, Cati Knab,
and Jackie Maiarano, Collaboration with the USGS, Massachusetts Military
Reservation, and the EPA.
Offshore Engineering:
"Design of an Offshore Wind Turbine in Nantucket Sound",
2002/3, by Dale Horsmann and Andre King
Urban Runoff:
" Design of a BMP to Reduce Sediment Loads in Salisbury Pond" -
2003/4 - by Sergio Cherenzia and Matt Zuccaro
Water supply:
"Enhancing Groundwater Recharge in Blackstone,MA" - 2003/4 - by Luke
Boucher, Crystal Caron, and Anita Padmanabhan, sponsored by the Town of
Blackstone, MA
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