Breadcrumb
Organic Matter Spectroscopy Lab
Breadcrumb
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.
Diane McKnight
Director
Natalie Aranda
Grad student
Jared Collins
Grad student
Lauren Magliozzi
Grad student
Tanya Petach
Grad student
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
Major equipment includes
- Shimadzu TOC analyzer
- Antec 9000 DON analyzer
- Agilent 8453 spectrophotometer
- FluroMax2 fluorometer
- fractionation columns
- Ulter-filtration
News
The birds are all right
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. Read more
Art and climate science converge in new exhibit at the Colorado Capitol (KUNC)
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. Read more
Coloradoans and our shared environment in times of challenge and change (CU OOE)
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. Read more
Publications
Publications for McKnight are shown below
Phytoplankton Drivers of Dissolved Organic Material Production in Colorado Reservoirs and the Formation of Disinfection By-Products
All Authors:
Khan AL; Sokol ER; McKnight DM; Saunders JF; Hohner AK; Summers RS
Published in: Frontiers in Environmental SciencePublication Date: 2021-07-30
Type: Journal Article
Connectivity: insights from the US Long Term Ecological Research Network
CU Boulder Authors:
Suding, Katharine Nash; McKnight, Diane Marie; Gooseff, Mike; Johnson, Pieter; Ray, Chris
All Authors:
Published in: EcosphereIwaniec DM; Gooseff M; Suding KN; Samuel Johnson D; Reed DC; Peters DPC; Adams B; Barrett JE; Bestelmeyer BT; Castorani ...
- Iwaniec DM
- Gooseff M
- Suding KN
- Samuel Johnson D
- Reed DC
- Peters DPC
- Adams B
- Barrett JE
- Bestelmeyer BT
- Castorani MCN
Publication Date: 2021-05-01
Type: Journal Article
The Role of Hyporheic Connectivity in Determining Nitrogen Availability: Insights From an Intermittent Antarctic Stream
All Authors:
Singley JG; Gooseff MN; McKnight DM; Hinckley ES
Published in: Journal of Geophysical Research: BiogeosciencesPublication Date: 2021-05-01
Type: Journal Article
Diatoms in Hyporheic Sediments Trace Organic Matter Retention and Processing in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica
All Authors:
Heindel RC; Darling JP; Singley JG; Bergstrom AJ; McKnight DM; Lukkari BM; Welch KA; Gooseff MN
Published in: Journal of Geophysical Research: BiogeosciencesPublication Date: 2021-02-01
Type: Journal Article
Geochemistry of contrasting stream types, Taylor Valley, Antarctica
CU Boulder Authors:
Welch, Kathleen Ann; McKnight, Diane Marie
All Authors:
Harmon RS; Leslie DL; Lyons WB; Welch KA; McKnight DM
Published in: Geological Society of America BulletinPublication Date: 2021-01-01
Type: Journal Article
Geochemistry of aeolian material from the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica: Insights into Southern Hemisphere dust sources
CU Boulder Authors:
Diaz, Melisa; McKnight, Diane Marie
All Authors:
Diaz MA; Welch SA; Sheets JM; Welch KA; Khan A; Adams B; McKnight D; Cary SC; Lyons WB
Published in: Earth and Planetary Science LettersPublication Date: 2020-10-01
Type: Journal Article
Evaluating Alternative Metacommunity Hypotheses for Diatoms in the McMurdo Dry Valleys Using Simulations and Remote Sensing Data
CU Boulder Authors:
Sokol, Eric Robert; McKnight, Diane Marie
All Authors:
Sokol ER; Barrett JE; Kohler TJ; McKnight DM; Salvatore MR; Stanish LF
Published in: Frontiers in Ecology and EvolutionPublication Date: 2020-09-25
Type: Journal Article
Biofuel Burning Influences Refractory Black Carbon Concentrations in Seasonal Snow at Lower Elevations of the Dudh Koshi River Basin of Nepal
CU Boulder Authors:
McKnight, Diane Marie; Rittger, Karl E
All Authors:
Khan AL; Rittger K; Xian P; Katich JM; Armstrong RL; Kayastha RB; Dana JL; McKnight DM
Published in: Frontiers in Earth SciencePublication Date: 2020-09-16
Type: Journal Article
Silicon Isotopic Composition of Dry and Wet-Based Glaciers in Antarctica
CU Boulder Authors:
McKnight, Diane Marie
All Authors:
Published in: Frontiers in Earth ScienceHatton JE; Hendry KR; Hirst C; Opfergelt S; Henkel S; Silva-Busso A; Welch SA; Wadham JL; Lyons WB; Bagshaw E...
- Hatton JE
- Hendry KR
- Hirst C
- Opfergelt S
- Henkel S
- Silva-Busso A
- Welch SA
- Wadham JL
- Lyons WB
- Bagshaw E
Publication Date: 2020-07-14
Type: Journal Article
Silicon Isotopes Reveal a Non-glacial Source of Silicon to Crescent Stream, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica
CU Boulder Authors:
McKnight, Diane Marie
All Authors:
Hirst C; Opfergelt S; Gaspard F; Hendry KR; Hatton JE; Welch S; McKnight DM; Lyons WB
Published in: Frontiers in Earth SciencePublication Date: 2020-06-26
Type: Journal Article
Dynamic changes in dissolved organic matter composition in a Mountain Lake under ice cover and relationships to changes in nutrient cycling and phytoplankton community composition
CU Boulder Authors:
McKnight, Diane Marie
All Authors:
Rue GP; Darling JP; Graham E; Tfaily MM; McKnight DM
Published in: Aquatic Sciences: research across boundariesPublication Date: 2020-01-01
Type: Journal Article
Experimental effects of elevated temperature and nitrogen deposition on high-elevation aquatic communities
All Authors:
Preston DL; Sokol ER; Hell K; McKnight DM; Johnson PTJ
Published in: Aquatic Sciences: research across boundariesPublication Date: 2020-01-01
Type: Journal Article
The life aquatic in high relief: shifts in the physical and biological characteristics of alpine lakes along an elevation gradient in the Rocky Mountains, USA
CU Boulder Authors:
Johnson, Pieter; McKnight, Diane Marie
All Authors:
Loria KA; Mcknight D; Ragar DM; Johnson PTJ
Published in: Aquatic Sciences: research across boundariesPublication Date: 2020-01-01
Type: Journal Article
The Hydroecology of an Ephemeral Wetland in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica
CU Boulder Authors:
Gooseff, Mike; McKnight, Diane Marie
All Authors:
Published in: Journal of Geophysical Research: BiogeosciencesWlostowski AN; Schulte NO; Adams BJ; Ball BA; Esposito RMM; Gooseff MN; Lyons WB; Nielsen UN; Virginia RA; Wall DH...
- Wlostowski AN
- Schulte NO
- Adams BJ
- Ball BA
- Esposito RMM
- Gooseff MN
- Lyons WB
- Nielsen UN
- Virginia RA
- Wall DH
Publication Date: 2019-12-01
Type: Journal Article
Using Humic Fractions to Understand Natural Organic Matter Processes in Soil and Water: Selected Studies and Applications
CU Boulder Authors:
McKnight, Diane Marie
All Authors:
Olk DC; Bloom PR; De Nobili M; Chen Y; McKnight DM; Wells MJM; Weber J
Published in: Journal of Environmental QualityPublication Date: 2019-11-01
Type: Journal Article
Sabbea gen. nov., a new diatom genus (Bacillariophyta) from continental Antarctica
CU Boulder Authors:
McKnight, Diane Marie; Spaulding, Sarah A
All Authors:
Published in: PhytotaxaBishop J; Kopalova K; Darling JP; Schulte NO; Kohler J; McMinn A; Spaulding SA; Mcknight DM; Van De Vijver B...
- Bishop J
- Kopalova K
- Darling JP
- Schulte NO
- Kohler J
- McMinn A
- Spaulding SA
- Mcknight DM
- Van De Vijver B
Publication Date: 2019-09-23
Type: Journal Article
Diurnal chemistry of two contrasting stream types, Taylor Valley, McMurdo Dry Valley Region, Antarctica
CU Boulder Authors:
McKnight, Diane Marie
All Authors:
Harmon RS; Leslie DL; Lyons WB; Welch KA; McKnight DM
Published in: E3S Web of ConferencesPublication Date: 2019-07-21
Type: Conference Proceeding
Environmental and Agricultural Relevance of Humic Fractions Extracted by Alkali from Soils and Natural Waters
CU Boulder Authors:
McKnight, Diane Marie
All Authors:
Published in: Journal of Environmental QualityOlk DC; Bloom PR; Perdue EM; McKnight DM; Chen Y; Farenhorst A; Senesi N; Chin Y-P; Schmitt-Kopplin P; Hertkorn N...
- Olk DC
- Bloom PR
- Perdue EM
- McKnight DM
- Chen Y
- Farenhorst A
- Senesi N
- Chin Y-P
- Schmitt-Kopplin P
- Hertkorn N
Publication Date: 2019-03-01
Type: Journal Article
Transit Times and Rapid Chemical Equilibrium Explain Chemostasis in Glacial Meltwater Streams in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica
CU Boulder Authors:
Gooseff, Mike; McKnight, Diane Marie
All Authors:
Wlostowski AN; Gooseff MN; McKnight DM; Lyons WB
Published in: Geophysical Research LettersPublication Date: 2018-12-28
Type: Journal Article
Aeolian Material Transport and Its Role in Landscape Connectivity in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica
All Authors:
Diaz MA; Adams BJ; Welch KA; Welch SA; Opiyo SO; Khan AL; McKnight DM; Cary SC; Lyons WB
Published in: Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth SurfacePublication Date: 2018-12-01
Type: Journal Article
Spatial and temporal patterns of microbial mats and associated invertebrates along an Antarctic stream
CU Boulder Authors:
McKnight, Diane Marie
All Authors:
Andriuzzi WS; Stanish LF; Simmons BL; Jaros C; Adams BJ; Wall DH; McKnight DM
Published in: Polar BiologyPublication Date: 2018-10-01
Type: Journal Article
Catch and release: Hyporheic retention and mineralization of N-fixing Nostoc sustains downstream microbial mat biomass in two polar desert streams
CU Boulder Authors:
McKnight, Diane Marie
All Authors:
Kohler TJ; Stanish LF; Liptzin D; Barrett JE; McKnight DM
Published in: Limnology and Oceanography LettersPublication Date: 2018-08-01
Type: Journal Article
Relationship between dissolved organic matter quality and microbial community composition across polar glacial environments
CU Boulder Authors:
SanClements, Michael; McKnight, Diane Marie
All Authors:
Smith HJ; Dieser M; McKnight DM; SanClements MD; Foreman CM
Published in: FEMS Microbiology EcologyPublication Date: 2018-07-01
Type: Journal Article
A Tribute to George R. Aiken
CU Boulder Authors:
McKnight, Diane Marie; Rosario-Ortiz, Fernando L.
All Authors:
Chin Y-P; McKnight D; Rosario-Ortiz FL
Published in: Environmental Science and Technology (Washington)Publication Date: 2018-04-17
Type: Journal Article
Oligotrophic wetland sediments susceptible to shifts in microbiomes and mercury cycling with dissolved organic matter addition
CU Boulder Authors:
McKnight, Diane Marie
All Authors:
Graham EB; Gabor RS; Schooler S; McKnight DM; Nemergut DR; Knelman JE
Published in: PeerJPublication Date: 2018-04-03
Type: Journal Article