Breadcrumb

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
Biogeochemical stoichiometry of Antarctic Dry Valley ecosystems
Barrett JE; Virginia RA; Lyons WB; McKnight DM; Priscu JC; Doran PT; Fountain AG; Wall DH; Moorhead DL...
- Barrett JE
- Virginia RA
- Lyons WB
- McKnight DM
- Priscu JC
- Doran PT
- Fountain AG
- Wall DH
- Moorhead DL
Publication Date: 2007-02-07
Type: Journal Article
Chemical characterization of DOM in channels of a seasonal wetland
Publication Date: 2007-01-01
Type: Journal Article
Characterization of a nitrogen-rich fulvic acid and its precursor algae from solid state NMR
Publication Date: 2007-01-01
Type: Journal Article
Hyporheic exchange and fulvic acid redox reactions in an alpine stream/wetland ecosystem, Colorado front range
Publication Date: 2006-10-01
Type: Journal Article
Antarctic climate cooling and response of diatoms in glacial meltwater streams
Publication Date: 2006-04-15
Type: Journal Article
A stable isotopic investigation of a polar desert hydrologic system, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica
Publication Date: 2006-02-01
Type: Journal Article
Experimental investigations into processes controlling stream and hyporheic temperatures, Fryxell Basin, Antarctica
Publication Date: 2006-02-01
Type: Journal Article
Spatial and temporal active layer dynamics along three glacial meltwater streams in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica
Publication Date: 2006-02-01
Type: Journal Article
Trophic Dynamics
Type: Chapter
The Lost Seal
Type: Book
Fluorescence spectroscopy reveals ubiquitous presence of oxidized and reduced quinones in dissolved organic matter
Publication Date: 2005-11-01
Type: Journal Article
Editorial
Publication Date: 2005-09-07
Type: Journal Article
Effects of annual flooding on dissolved organic carbon dynamics within a pristine wetland, the Okavango Delta, Botswana
Publication Date: 2005-09-01
Type: Journal Article
Spectrofluorometric and spectrophotometric evaluation of the photoreactivity of dissolved organic matter from a coastal lake on Ross Island, Antarctica
Publication Date: 2005-08-28
Type: Journal Article
The specific molecular identification of life experiment (SMILE)
Publication Date: 2005-07-01
Type: Journal Article
Sources of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in a Rocky Mountain stream using chemical fractionation and stable isotopes
Publication Date: 2005-06-01
Type: Journal Article
Sensitivity analysis of conservative and reactive stream transient storage models applied to field data from multiple-reach experiments
Publication Date: 2005-05-01
Type: Journal Article
Comment on "El Nino suppresses Antarctic warming" by N. Bertler et al.
Doran PT; Priscu JC; Lyons WB; Walsh JE; Fountain AG; McKnight DM; Moorhead DL; Virginia RA; Wall DH; Clow GD...
- Doran PT
- Priscu JC
- Lyons WB
- Walsh JE
- Fountain AG
- McKnight DM
- Moorhead DL
- Virginia RA
- Wall DH
- Clow GD
Publication Date: 2005-04-08
Type: Journal Article
Carbon limitation of soil respiration under winter snowpacks: potential feedbacks between growing season and winter carbon fluxes
Publication Date: 2005-02-01
Type: Journal Article
A temperature-index model of stream flow at below-freezing temperatures in Taylor Valley, Antarctica
Publication Date: 2005-01-01
Type: Journal Article
Chemical characterization of dissolved organic material in Pony Lake, a saline coastal pond in Antarctica
Publication Date: 2004-10-01
Type: Journal Article
Denitrification and hydrologic transient storage in a glacial meltwater stream, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica
Publication Date: 2004-09-01
Type: Journal Article
Reach-scale cation exchange controls on major ion chemistry of an Antarctic glacial meltwater stream
Publication Date: 2004-09-01
Type: Journal Article
Biogeochemical processes controlling midday ferrous iron maxima in stream waters affected by acid rock drainage
Publication Date: 2004-07-01
Type: Journal Article
Inorganic N and P dynamics of Antarctic glacial meltwater streams as controlled by hyporheic exchange and benthic autotrophic communities
Publication Date: 2004-06-01
Type: Journal Article
Pages
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
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