Diane M. McKnight

Distinguished Professor •
• Limnology • Biogeochemistry of lakes and streams

Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering • Environmental Studies • Hydrologic Sciences Graduate Program

Bio

My research focuses on interactions between hydrologic, chemical and biological processes in controlling the dynamics in aquatic ecosystems.

This research is carried out through field-scale experiments, modeling, and laboratory characterization of natural substrates. Conducts research focusing on interactions between freshwater biota, trace metals, and natural organic material in diverse freshwater environments, including lakes and streams in the Colorado Rocky Mountains and in the McMurdo Dry Valleys in Antarctica.

Main field sites are located in the Rocky Mountains and in the Transantarctic Mountains of Antarctica, and include pristine and stressed ecosystems. A co-principal investigator in the McMurdo Dry Valley LTER and in the Niwot Ridge LTER.

Develops interactions with state and local groups involved in mine drainage and watershed issues in the Rocky Mountains.

CU Connections interview "Five Questions for Diane McKnight."

Education

PhD: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1979

Awards

Distinguished Professor, University of Colorado System, 2021
Robert E. Horton Medal, American Geophysical Union, 2021
AEESP Distinguished Lecturer, Association of Environmental Engineering & Science Professors Foundation, 2019
John Dalton Medal, European Geosciences Union, 2015
Distinguished Research Lectureship, CU Boulder, 2015
Hydrology Section Award, American Geophysical Union, 2014
Elected member, National Academy of Engineering, 2012
Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2009
Fellow, American Geophysical Union, 2004
Meritorious Service Award, U.S. Geological Survey, 1995

Research

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Publications

Recent publications

Comparison of seasonal changes in fluorescent dissolved organic matter among aquatic lake and stream sites in the Green Lakes Valley

CU Boulder Authors: McKnight, Diane Marie

All Authors: Miller MP; McKnight DM

Published in: Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences
Publication Date: 2010-03-23
Type: Journal Article

Photochemistry of dissolved organic material and its role in aquatic ecosystems

CU Boulder Authors: McKnight, Diane Marie

All Authors: McKnight DM

Published in: ACS National Meeting Book of Abstracts
Publication Date: 2010-03-21
Type: Journal Article

Influence of organic-matter fractionation by natural iron nanoparticles on copper speciation and aquatic copper toxicity

CU Boulder Authors: McKnight, Diane Marie

All Authors: Smith KS; Ranville JF; Diedrich DJ; McKnight DM; Sofield RM

Published in: ACS National Meeting Book of Abstracts
Publication Date: 2010-03-21
Type: Journal Article

Effect of instrument-specific response on the analysis of fulvic acid fluorescence spectra

CU Boulder Authors: McKnight, Diane Marie

All Authors: Cory RM; Miller MP; McKnight DM; Guerard JJ; Miller PL

Published in: Limnology and Oceanography: Methods
Publication Date: 2010-02-01
Type: Journal Article

Effect of unsteady flow on nitrate loss in an oligotrophic, glacial meltwater stream

CU Boulder Authors: McKnight, Diane Marie

All Authors: Koch JC; McKnight DM; Baeseman JL

Published in: Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences
Publication Date: 2010-01-08
Type: Journal Article

Effects of Short-Term Drying and Irrigation on Electron Flow in Mesocosms of a Northern Bog and an Alpine Fen

CU Boulder Authors: McKnight, Diane Marie

All Authors: Deppe M; McKnight DM; Blodau C

Published in: Environmental Science and Technology (Washington)
Publication Date: 2010-01-01
Type: Journal Article

Dissolved Organic Matter Sources and Consequences for Iron and Arsenic Mobilization in Bangladesh Aquifers

CU Boulder Authors: McKnight, Diane Marie; Bilinski, Teresa

All Authors:

Mladenov N; Zheng Y; Miller MP; Nemergut DR; Legg T; Simone B; Hageman C; Rahman MM; Ahmed KM; McKnight DM...

Mladenov N
Zheng Y
Miller MP
Nemergut DR
Legg T
Simone B
Hageman C
Rahman MM
Ahmed KM
McKnight DM

Published in: Environmental Science and Technology (Washington)
Publication Date: 2010-01-01
Type: Journal Article

Diatoms as indicators of environmental change in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic freshwaters

CU Boulder Authors: Spaulding, Sarah A; McKnight, Diane Marie

All Authors: Spaulding SA; MCKNIGHT DM; Stanish L; Van de Vijver B; Hodgson D

Publication Date: 2010-01-01
Type: Chapter

Analogue stream hydrologic and ecosystem functions

CU Boulder Authors: McKnight, Diane Marie

All Authors: Gooseff MN; MCKNIGHT DM; Carr MH; Baeseman JL

Publication Date: 2010-01-01
Type: Chapter

Effect of instrument-specific response on the analysis of fulvic acid fluorescence spectra

CU Boulder Authors: McKnight, Diane Marie

All Authors: Cory RM; Miller MP; McKnight DM; Guerard JJ; Miller PL

Published in: Limnology and Oceanography: Methods
Publication Date: 2010-01-01
Type: Journal Article

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN INVERTEBRATE HABITAT PREFERENCE, STREAM FLOW AND DIEL TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATION IN AN ANTARCTIC MELTWATER STREAM.

CU Boulder Authors: McKnight, Diane Marie

All Authors: Simmons BL; Adams BJ; McKnight DM; Wall DH

Published in: Journal of Nematology
Publication Date: 2009-12-01
Type: Journal Article

A model of degradation and production of three pools of dissolved organic matter in an alpine lake

CU Boulder Authors: McKnight, Diane Marie

All Authors: Miller MP; McKnight DM; Chapra SC; Williams MW

Published in: Limnology and Oceanography
Publication Date: 2009-11-01
Type: Journal Article

Lakes and reservoirs as regulators of carbon cycling and climate

CU Boulder Authors: McKnight, Diane Marie

All Authors:

Tranvik LJ; Downing JA; Cotner JB; Loiselle SA; Striegl RG; Ballatore TJ; Dillon P; Finlay K; Fortino K; Knoll LB...

Tranvik LJ
Downing JA
Cotner JB
Loiselle SA
Striegl RG
Ballatore TJ
Dillon P
Finlay K
Fortino K
Knoll LB

Published in: Limnology and Oceanography
Publication Date: 2009-11-01
Type: Journal Article

Alpine lake optical properties as sentinels of dust deposition and global change

CU Boulder Authors: McKnight, Diane Marie

All Authors: Mladenov N; Lopez-Ramos J; McKnight DM; Reche I

Published in: Limnology and Oceanography
Publication Date: 2009-11-01
Type: Journal Article

Characterizing chlorine oxidation of dissolved organic matter and disinfection by-product formation with fluorescence spectroscopy and parallel factor analysis

CU Boulder Authors: McKnight, Diane Marie; Summers, R Scott

All Authors: Beggs KMH; Summers RS; McKnight DM

Published in: Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences
Publication Date: 2009-10-08
Type: Journal Article

Factors controlling streambed coverage of Didymosphenia geminata in two regulated streams in the Colorado Front Range

CU Boulder Authors: McKnight, Diane Marie

All Authors: Miller MP; McKnight DM; Cullis JD; Greene A; Vietti K; Liptzin D

Published in: Hydrobiologia: the international journal on limnology and marine sciences
Publication Date: 2009-09-01
Type: Journal Article

Life in the ice cover and underlying cold brines of Lake Vida, Antarctica

CU Boulder Authors: McKnight, Diane Marie

All Authors: Murray AE; Fritsen CH; Kenig F; McKay CM; McKnight DM; Cawley K; Doran PT

Published in: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Publication Date: 2009-06-01
Type: Journal Article

Production of microbially-derived fulvic acid from photolysis of quinone-containing extracellular products of phytoplankton

CU Boulder Authors: McKnight, Diane Marie

All Authors: Miller MP; McKnight DM; Chapra SC

Published in: Aquatic Sciences: research across boundaries
Publication Date: 2009-06-01
Type: Journal Article

Response of the Phytoplankton Community in an Alpine Lake to Drought Conditions: Colorado Rocky Mountain Front Range, USA

CU Boulder Authors: McKnight, Diane Marie

All Authors: Flanagan CM; McKnight DM; Liptzin D; Williams MW; Miller MP

Published in: Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research
Publication Date: 2009-05-01
Type: Journal Article

Spatial and temporal variations in DOM composition in ecosystems: The importance of long-term monitoring of optical properties

CU Boulder Authors: McKnight, Diane Marie

All Authors: Jaffe R; McKnight D; Maie N; Cory R; McDowell WH; Campbell JL

Published in: Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences
Publication Date: 2008-12-19
Type: Journal Article

Inland diatoms from the McMurdo Dry Valleys and James Ross Island, Antarctica

CU Boulder Authors: Lubinski, David J; McKnight, Diane Marie; Spaulding, Sarah A

All Authors: Esposito RMM; Spaulding SA; McKnight DM; de Vijver BV; Kopalova K; Lubinski D; Hall B; Whittaker T

Published in: Botany
Publication Date: 2008-12-01
Type: Journal Article

Hydrologic response to extreme warm and cold summers in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, East Antarctica

CU Boulder Authors: McKnight, Diane Marie

All Authors: Doran PT; McKay CP; Fountain AG; Nylen T; Mcknight DM; Jaros C; Barrett JE

Published in: Antarctic Science
Publication Date: 2008-10-01
Type: Journal Article

High-latitude rivers and streams

CU Boulder Authors: McKnight, Diane Marie; Gooseff, Michael N

All Authors: McKnight DM; Gooseff MN; Vincent WF; Peterson BJ

Publication Date: 2008-09-11
Type: Chapter

High Latitude Rivers and Streams

CU Boulder Authors: McKnight, Diane Marie; Gooseff, Michael N

All Authors: GOOSEFF MN; McKnight DM; Vincent WF; Peterson BJ

Publication Date: 2008-09-11
Type: Chapter

Dissolved organic matter accumulation, reactivity, and redox state in ground water of a recharge wetland

CU Boulder Authors: McKnight, Diane Marie

All Authors: Mladenov N; Huntsman-Mapila P; Wolski P; Masarnba WRL; McKnight DM

Published in: Wetlands: the journal of the Society of Wetland Scientists
Publication Date: 2008-09-01
Type: Journal Article

Teaching

Current courses

CVEN 5323: Applied Stream Ecology

Past courses

CVEN 3434: Introduction to Applied Ecology
CVEN 3454: Water Chemistry
CVEN 5454: Environmental Engineering Chemistry
CVEN 6404: Advanced Aquatic Chemistry

Current students

Lane Allen

PhD Student •
• Stream ecology • Dissolved organic matter

Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering

Organic Matter Spectroscopy Lab Advisor: Diane McKnight

lane.allen@colorado.edu

Jared Collins

Graduate Student

Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering

Organic Matter Spectroscopy Lab Advisor: Diane McKnight Focusing on toxic blue-green algal bloom detection using remote sensing of RGB bands to model total cyanobacteria growth in the water column in urban reservoirs.

jared.collins-1@colorado.edu

Mia Vanderwilt

MS Student • Graduate Research Assistant •
• Polar microbiology • Snow hydrology • Remote sensing of the cryosphere

Environmental Studies • Hydrologic Sciences Graduate Program

Organic Matter Spectroscopy Lab Advisor: Diane McKnight Bio Education BS: Georgetown University, 2019

mia.vanderwilt@colorado.edu

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Outreach

News

Bundled up against the cold, Diane McKnight stands near Cotton Glacier.

Diane McKnight reflects on the LTER (LTER Network)

Sept. 28, 2023

Diane McKnight has been an integral figure in the Long-Term Ecological Research Program for decades. She was instrumental in launching the McMurdo LTER, spearheaded restructuring network coordination, and served as Chair of the LTER Network Executive Board. She’s mentored dozens of students and developed too many projects to count. The LTER Network Office sat down with Diane to chat about her life in the Network and her dreams for the LTER moving forward.

A male Wilson's Warbler, a bright yellow and olive colored small bird with distinct black eye and black cap. Photo: Patrice Bouchard on Unsplash

The birds are all right

June 20, 2023

Birds continue to thrive in Colorado’s Snake River watershed, despite increasing heavy metals and rare earth elements in streams, finds a study by Kelly Watson and Diane McKnight.

Holly Barnard and artist Jocelyn Catterson an artwork by Catterson in the Lieutenant Governor's office at the Colorado State Capitol building.

Art and climate science converge in new exhibit at the Colorado Capitol (KUNC)

May 24, 2023

An exhibit that just opened in the Colorado capitol building's rotunda features artwork made in the process of partnerships between artists from around Colorado, their communities, and CU Boulder scientists. Called “Coloradans and our Shared Environment in Times of Challenge and Change,” the art grapples with the climate and environmental challenges that are part of Coloradoans' lives: drought, decreasing groundwater, acid mine drainage, wildfire, pine beetle tree mortality, and more.

A mixed-media artwork by Jocelyn Catterson explores groundwater in the San Luis Valley, reflecting a partnership with INSTAAR Holly Barnard.

Coloradoans and our shared environment in times of challenge and change (CU OOE)

May 18, 2023

A collaborative exhibition tells the story of how Coloradans are experiencing interrelated challenges of fire, drought, and water and air quality in their communities. Artists (the CASE Fellows) partnered with scientists and communities to make visible the connections between Coloradans and their environment. Several INSTAARs acted as scientist partners. This website showcases the artwork, as well as quotes from the partners, explorations of the issues, and what you can do to act.

Maddie Sanders, one of the CASE Fellows, works on a large mural

Announcing the Colorado Art Science Environment Fellows and Colorado State Capitol Exhibition (CU Boulder Community Outreach and Engagement)

Dec. 19, 2022

The Office for Outreach and Engagement announces the CASE Fellows program. The program pairs Colorado artists with CU Boulder scientists to produce art that will be exhibited at the Colorado State Capitol in an exhibition about how Coloradans are experiencing interrelated challenges of fire, drought, and water and air quality. Lisa Schwartz from OOE is leading the program in partnership with Shelly Sommer at INSTAAR, Boulder County Arts Alliance and with exhibition and curatorial support from Amy Hoagland.

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Diane M. McKnight

Bio

Education

Awards

Research

Publications

Photochemistry of dissolved organic material and its role in aquatic ecosystems

Influence of organic-matter fractionation by natural iron nanoparticles on copper speciation and aquatic copper toxicity

Effect of instrument-specific response on the analysis of fulvic acid fluorescence spectra

Diatoms as indicators of environmental change in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic freshwaters

Analogue stream hydrologic and ecosystem functions

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN INVERTEBRATE HABITAT PREFERENCE, STREAM FLOW AND DIEL TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATION IN AN ANTARCTIC MELTWATER STREAM.

Life in the ice cover and underlying cold brines of Lake Vida, Antarctica

High Latitude Rivers and Streams

Pages

Teaching

Current courses

Past courses

Current students

Outreach

News