Image: Boulder Reservoir by Richard Saxon

We measure the amount and character of dissolved organic matter from diverse ecosystems, especially aquatic ones. We often combine our lab data with field-scale experiments and modeling to understand of the interactions between hydrologic, chemical and biological processes in controlling the dynamics of these systems.

Photo of Diane McKnight

Diane McKnight
Director

Silhouette of a generic person

Natalie Aranda
Grad student

Silhouette of a generic person

Jared Collins
Grad student

Photo of Lauren Magliozzi,

Lauren Magliozzi
​Grad student

Photo of Tanya Petach

Tanya Petach
Grad student

Photo of Mia Vanderwilt

Mia Vanderwilt
​Grad student

  • Nayoung Hur, MS 2022
  • Garrett Rue, PhD 2019
  • Alia Lauren Khan, NSF Graduate Research Fellow
  • Maggie Burns, MA 2014 in Geography; now Hydrologist
  • Rachel Gabor, PhD 2013 in Environmental Studies
  • Jessica Ebert, MS 2012

Contact & services

Diane McKnight

Major equipment includes

  • Shimadzu TOC analyzer
  • Antec 9000 DON analyzer
  • Agilent 8453 spectrophotometer
  • FluroMax2 fluorometer
  • fractionation columns
  • Ulter-filtration

Blue gloved hand holds a small vial over an instrument

Josh Darling kneels to sample algal mats from a rocky meltwater stream in the Dry Valleys of Antarctica

Josh Darling kneels to sample algal mats from a rocky meltwater stream near Canada Glacier in the Dry Valleys of Antarctica

Researcher in shorts and a backpack stands on the grassy shore of an alpine lake within a rocky catchment

Researcher on the grassy shoreline of an alpine lake in the Rocky Mountains.