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
New contamination concern for Colorado streams (EOS)
Abandoned hardrock mines and climate change cause metals and other elements to leach into streams. They also put rare earth elements into the water, as found by Garrett Rue and Diane McKnight in their new study. Read more
Climate change increases rare earth elements in Colorado’s Snake River (High Country News)
A new study by Garrett Rue and Diane McKnight suggests lower stream flows, caused by climate change, as a primary culprit. Read more
Congratulations to the 2021 AGU Union medal, award, and prize recipients (EOS)
Diane McKnight is the recipient of the Robert E. Horton Medal, bestowed for outstanding contributions to hydrology Read more
Publications
Publications for McKnight are shown below
Recovery of Antarctic stream epilithon from simulated scouring events
CU Boulder Authors:
Gooseff, Mike; McKnight, Diane Marie
All Authors:
Kohler TJ; Chatfield E; Gooseff MN; Barrett JE; Mcknight DM
Published in: Antarctic SciencePublication Date: 2015-08-01
Type: Journal Article
Potential for real-time understanding of coupled hydrologic and biogeochemical processes in stream ecosystems: Future integration of telemetered data with process models for glacial meltwater streams
All Authors:
Published in: Water Resources ResearchMcKnight DM; Cozzetto K; Cullis JDS; Gooseff MN; Jaros C; Koch JC; Lyons WB; Neupauer R; Wlostowski A...
- McKnight DM
- Cozzetto K
- Cullis JDS
- Gooseff MN
- Jaros C
- Koch JC
- Lyons WB
- Neupauer R
- Wlostowski A
Publication Date: 2015-08-01
Type: Journal Article
Hydrodynamic control of benthic mats of Didymosphenia geminata at the reach scale
CU Boulder Authors:
McKnight, Diane Marie; Spaulding, Sarah A
All Authors:
Cullis JDS; McKnight DM; Spaulding SA
Published in: Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic SciencesPublication Date: 2015-06-01
Type: Journal Article
Pressure-driven, shoreline currents in a perennially ice-covered, pro-glacial lake in Antarctica, identified from a LiCl tracer injected into a pro-glacial stream
CU Boulder Authors:
Welch, Kathleen Ann; McKnight, Diane Marie
All Authors:
Castendyk D; McKnight D; Welch K; Niebuhr S; Jaros C
Published in: Hydrological ProcessesPublication Date: 2015-04-30
Type: Journal Article
Influence of Leaching Solution and Catchment Location on the Fluorescence of Water-Soluble Organic Matter
CU Boulder Authors:
McKnight, Diane Marie; Barnard, Holly Rene
All Authors:
Gabor RS; Burns MA; Lee RH; Elg JB; Kemper CJ; Barnard HR; McKnight DM
Published in: Environmental Science and Technology (Washington)Publication Date: 2015-04-07
Type: Journal Article
Transformations in autochthonous DOM: An Antarctic supraglacial case study
CU Boulder Authors:
McKnight, Diane Marie; SanClements, Michael
All Authors:
Smith H; Wei-Haas M; SanClements M; D'Andrilli J; Foreman C; Chin Y-P; McKnight D
Published in: ACS National Meeting Book of AbstractsPublication Date: 2015-03-22
Type: Conference Proceeding
Life in the Main Channel: Long-Term Hydrologic Control of Microbial Mat Abundance in McMurdo Dry Valley Streams, Antarctica
CU Boulder Authors:
McKnight, Diane Marie
All Authors:
Kohler TJ; Stanish LF; Crisp SW; Koch JC; Liptzin D; Baeseman JL; McKnight DM
Published in: EcosystemsPublication Date: 2015-03-01
Type: Journal Article
Fractionation of Fulvic Acid by Iron and Aluminum Oxides-Influence on Copper Toxicity to Ceriodaphnia dubia
CU Boulder Authors:
McKnight, Diane Marie
All Authors:
Smith KS; Ranville JF; Lesher EK; Diedrich DJ; McKnight DM; Sofield RM
Published in: Environmental Science and Technology (Washington)Publication Date: 2014-10-21
Type: Journal Article
Abiotic and biotic factors influencing the mobility of arsenic in groundwater of a through-flow island in the Okavango Delta, Botswana
CU Boulder Authors:
McKnight, Diane Marie
All Authors:
Published in: Journal of HydrologyMladenov N; Wolski P; Hettiarachchi GM; Murray-Hudson M; Enriquez H; Damaraju S; Galkaduwa MB; McKnight DM; Masamba W...
- Mladenov N
- Wolski P
- Hettiarachchi GM
- Murray-Hudson M
- Enriquez H
- Damaraju S
- Galkaduwa MB
- McKnight DM
- Masamba W
Publication Date: 2014-10-10
Type: Journal Article
Morning, noon, and night: DOM photochemistry and understanding the biogeochemical pulse of river ecosystems
CU Boulder Authors:
McKnight, Diane Marie
All Authors:
McKnight D
Published in: ACS National Meeting Book of AbstractsPublication Date: 2014-08-10
Type: Conference Proceeding
From the litter layer to the saprolite: Chemical changes in water-soluble soil organic matter and their correlation to microbial community composition
All Authors:
Gabor RS; Eilers K; McKnight DM; Fierer N; Anderson SP
Published in: Soil Biology and BiochemistryPublication Date: 2014-01-01
Type: Journal Article
Fluorescence Indices and Their Interpretation
CU Boulder Authors:
McKnight, Diane Marie
All Authors:
Gabor RS; Baker A; McKnight DM; Miller MP
Publication Date: 2014-01-01Type: Chapter
Diel flow pulses drive particulate organic matter transport from microbial mats in a glacial meltwater stream in the McMurdo Dry Valleys
CU Boulder Authors:
McKnight, Diane Marie
All Authors:
Cullis JDS; Stanish LF; McKnight DM
Published in: Water Resources ResearchPublication Date: 2014-01-01
Type: Journal Article
Characterization of IHSS Pony Lake fulvic acid dissolved organic matter by electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry and fluorescence spectroscopy
CU Boulder Authors:
McKnight, Diane Marie
All Authors:
D'Andrilli J; Foreman CM; Marshall AG; McKnight DM
Published in: Organic GeochemistryPublication Date: 2013-12-01
Type: Journal Article
Characterization of fulvic acid fractions of dissolved organic matter during ice-out in a hyper-eutrophic, coastal pond in Antarctica
CU Boulder Authors:
McKnight, Diane Marie
All Authors:
Published in: Environmental Research LettersCawley KM; McKnight DM; Miller P; Cory R; Fimmen RL; Guerard J; Dieser M; Jaros C; Chin Y-P; Foreman C...
- Cawley KM
- McKnight DM
- Miller P
- Cory R
- Fimmen RL
- Guerard J
- Dieser M
- Jaros C
- Chin Y-P
- Foreman C
Publication Date: 2013-12-01
Type: Journal Article
Physicochemical and biological dynamics in a coastal Antarctic lake as it transitions from frozen to open water
CU Boulder Authors:
McKnight, Diane Marie
All Authors:
Published in: Antarctic ScienceDieser M; Foreman CM; Jaros C; Lisle JT; Greenwood M; Laybourn-Parry J; Miller PL; Chin Y-P; McKnight DM...
- Dieser M
- Foreman CM
- Jaros C
- Lisle JT
- Greenwood M
- Laybourn-Parry J
- Miller PL
- Chin Y-P
- McKnight DM
Publication Date: 2013-10-01
Type: Journal Article
Environmental factors influencing diatom communities in Antarctic cryoconite holes
CU Boulder Authors:
McKnight, Diane Marie
All Authors:
Stanish LF; Bagshaw EA; McKnight DM; Fountain AG; Tranter M
Published in: Environmental Research LettersPublication Date: 2013-10-01
Type: Journal Article
Microbial growth under humic-free conditions in a supraglacial stream system on the Cotton Glacier, Antarctica
CU Boulder Authors:
McKnight, Diane Marie; SanClements, Michael
All Authors:
Published in: Environmental Research LettersForeman CM; Cory RM; Morris CE; SanClements MD; Smith HJ; Lisle JT; Miller PL; Chin Y-P; McKnight DM...
- Foreman CM
- Cory RM
- Morris CE
- SanClements MD
- Smith HJ
- Lisle JT
- Miller PL
- Chin Y-P
- McKnight DM
Publication Date: 2013-09-01
Type: Journal Article
The influence of stream thermal regimes and preferential flow paths on hyporheic exchange in a glacial meltwater stream
CU Boulder Authors:
Gooseff, Mike; McKnight, Diane Marie
All Authors:
Cozzetto KD; Bencala KE; Gooseff MN; McKnight DM
Published in: Water Resources ResearchPublication Date: 2013-09-01
Type: Journal Article
Increasing ARD and rare earth metal concentrations in an alpine watershed
CU Boulder Authors:
McKnight, Diane Marie
All Authors:
Rue G; Crouch C; McKnight D
Publication Date: 2013-08-06Type: Conference Proceeding
Wetland Photochemistry as a Major Control on the Transport of Metals in an Acid Mine Drainage Impacted Watershed
CU Boulder Authors:
McKnight, Diane Marie
All Authors:
Duren SM; McKnight DM
Publication Date: 2013-08-06Type: Conference Proceeding
The role of dissolved organic matter (DOM) quality in the growth enhancement of Alexandrium fundyense (Dinophyceae) in laboratory culture
CU Boulder Authors:
McKnight, Diane Marie
All Authors:
Cawley KM; Koerfer V; McKnight DM
Published in: Journal of Phycology: an international journal of algal researchPublication Date: 2013-06-01
Type: Journal Article
Hydrologic controls on the transport and cycling of carbon and nitrogen in a boreal catchment underlain by continuous permafrost
CU Boulder Authors:
McKnight, Diane Marie
All Authors:
Koch JC; Runkel RL; Striegl R; McKnight DM
Published in: Journal of Geophysical Research: BiogeosciencesPublication Date: 2013-06-01
Type: Journal Article
The carbon stable isotope biogeochemistry of streams, Taylor Valley, Antarctica
CU Boulder Authors:
McKnight, Diane Marie; Welch, Kathleen Ann
All Authors:
Lyons WB; Leslie DL; Harmon RS; Neumann K; Welch KA; Bisson KM; McKnight DM
Published in: Applied GeochemistryPublication Date: 2013-05-01
Type: Journal Article
Redox reactivity of humic substances in aquatic ecosystems: Multiple lines of evidence and the potential for understanding natural systems using fluorescence spectroscopy
CU Boulder Authors:
McKnight, Diane Marie
All Authors:
McKnight DM
Published in: ACS National Meeting Book of AbstractsPublication Date: 2013-04-07
Type: Journal Article