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![Portrait of Diane McKnight](/instaar/sites/default/files/styles/small/public/people/mcknight_diane.png?itok=-N3dXu77)
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.Ìý
Develops interactions with state and local groups involved in mine drainage and watershed issues in the Rocky Mountains.
CU Connections interview "."
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
Publication Date: 2012-08-01
Type: Journal Article
Publication Date: 2012-08-01
Type: Journal Article
Publication Date: 2012-03-20
Type: Journal Article
Publication Date: 2012-02-01
Type: Journal Article
Publication Date: 2012-01-18
Type: Journal Article
Legg TM; Zheng Y; Simone B; Radloff KA; Mladenov N; Gonzalez A; Knights D; Siu HC; Rahman MM; Ahmed KM...
- Legg TM
- Zheng Y
- Simone B
- Radloff KA
- Mladenov N
- Gonzalez A
- Knights D
- Siu HC
- Rahman MM
- Ahmed KM
Publication Date: 2012-01-01
Type: Journal Article
Publication Date: 2011-12-01
Type: Journal Article
Publication Date: 2011-12-01
Type: Journal Article
Publication Date: 2011-09-01
Type: Journal Article
Redox character of soil humic material suggests a role in microbial weathering of bedrock surfaces
Publication Date: 2011-08-28
Type: Journal Article
Foreman CM; Dieser M; Greenwood M; Cory RM; Laybourn-Parry J; Lisle JT; Jaros C; Miller PL; Chin Y-P; McKnight DM...
- Foreman CM
- Dieser M
- Greenwood M
- Cory RM
- Laybourn-Parry J
- Lisle JT
- Jaros C
- Miller PL
- Chin Y-P
- McKnight DM
Publication Date: 2011-06-01
Type: Journal Article
Publication Date: 2011-05-21
Type: Journal Article
Evaluating the link between nutrient loadings, algal activity, and formation of disinfection byproducts in watersheds
Publication Date: 2011-03-27
Type: Journal Article
Publication Date: 2011-01-01
Type: Chapter
Publication Date: 2010-12-01
Type: Journal Article
Publication Date: 2010-09-01
Type: Journal Article
Publication Date: 2010-08-01
Type: Journal Article
Publication Date: 2010-06-01
Type: Journal Article
Antarctic McMurdo Dry Valley stream ecosystems as analogue to fluvial systems on Mars
Type: Chapter
Life in Antarctic Deserts and other Cold Dry Environments
Type: Book
Publication Date: 2010-04-24
Type: Journal Article
Publication Date: 2010-03-23
Type: Journal Article
Photochemistry of dissolved organic material and its role in aquatic ecosystems
Publication Date: 2010-03-21
Type: Journal Article
Influence of organic-matter fractionation by natural iron nanoparticles on copper speciation and aquatic copper toxicity
Publication Date: 2010-03-21
Type: Journal Article
Effect of instrument-specific response on the analysis of fulvic acid fluorescence spectra
Publication Date: 2010-02-01
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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