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

Photo of Allen Lane

Lane Allen
PhD student

Photo of Natalie Aranda

Natalie Aranda
Grad student

Silhouette of a generic person

Jared Collins
Grad student

Photo of Lauren Magliozzi,

Lauren Magliozzi
​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.

 

News

Chico State students John Machado and Sean Berriman collect samples from within the immediate disaster zone of the Camp Fire. Photo by Sandrine Matiasek.

Research in the aftermath of the Camp Fire reveals the threat of wildfires on water quality (Chico State)

A groundbreaking multi-year research initiative launched at Chico State in the aftermath of the Camp Fire examined the presence of contaminants, including metals, in nearby watersheds. Joined by researchers from CU Boulder and the USGS, the research, recently published in the prestigious Journal of Environmental Science: Processes and Impacts, sheds light on the alarming impact of wildfires on stormwater runoff. Read more
Bundled up against the cold, Diane McKnight stands near Cotton Glacier.

Diane McKnight reflects on the LTER (LTER Network)

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. Read more
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

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
More institute news for the Organic Matter Spectroscopy Lab

 

Publications

Publications for McKnight are shown below