Publications in VIVO

Co-author Network

McKnight, Diane Marie

Distinguished Professor

Positions

Distinguished Professor, Institute of Arctic & Alpine Research (INSTAAR)
Distinguished Professor, Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering

Research Areas

Research

research overview

Dr. McKnight's research focuses on the interactions between water quality and the aquatic ecology of algae and other aquatic organisms in lakes and streams. An important aspect of her work is understanding the biogeochemical processes controlling the chemistry of natural organic material and trace metals in freshwater systems. Her field research is conducted in alpine and polar environments, including the Colorado Mineral Belt and the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica.

keywords

aquatic chemistry and aquatic ecology, reactive solute transport in streams and rivers, hydrology

Publications

selected publications

book
chapter
- Chemical and Physical Properties of Crude Oils. 21-33. 2016
- Comparing Properties Affecting Transport, Fate, Effects, and Response. 89-100. 2016
- Environmental Processes, Behavior, and Toxicity of Diluted Bitumen. 35-71. 2016
- Recommendations. 113-123. 2016
- Regulations Governing Spill Response Planning. 101-112. 2016
conference proceeding
- Diurnal chemistry of two contrasting stream types, Taylor Valley, McMurdo Dry Valley Region, Antarctica. E3S Web of Conferences. 2019
- Concentration-discharge relationships during the recession of an extreme flood in the Boulder Creek Watershed: Patterns of lithologic solute concentrations contrast with decreases in concentration and changes in chemical quality of dissolved organic material. ACS National Meeting Book of Abstracts. 2017
- From the Antarctic to the Arctic: An expeditionary approach to the environmental chemistry and reactivity of dissolved organic matter. ACS National Meeting Book of Abstracts. 2017
- Transformations in autochthonous DOM: An Antarctic supraglacial case study. ACS National Meeting Book of Abstracts. 2015
- Morning, noon, and night: DOM photochemistry and understanding the biogeochemical pulse of river ecosystems. ACS National Meeting Book of Abstracts. 2014
journal article
- Climate, Hydrology, and Nutrients Control the Seasonality of Si Concentrations in Rivers. Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences. 2024
- Establishing fluvial silicon regimes and their stability across the Northern Hemisphere. Limnology and Oceanography Letters. 237-246. 2024
- Drifting along: using diatoms to track the contribution of microbial mats to particulate organic matter transport in a glacial meltwater stream in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. Frontiers in Microbiology. 2024
- Wildland-urban interface wildfire increases metal contributions to stormwater runoff in Paradise, California. Environmental Science Processes and Impacts. 2024
- Climate-Driven Increases in Stream Metal Concentrations in Mineralized Watersheds Throughout the Colorado Rocky Mountains, USA. Water Resources Research. 2024

editor of

chapter
- Analogue stream hydrologic and ecosystem functions 2010

Teaching

courses taught

CVEN 3434 - Introduction to Applied Ecology
Primary Instructor - Spring 2019 / Spring 2021 / Spring 2022 / Spring 2023 / Spring 2024
Emphasizes the integration of physical, chemical and biological processes in controlling terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Ecosystem concepts are applied to current environmental and water quality problems. Includes field trips and a group project. Same as ENVS 3434.
CVEN 5323 - Applied Stream Ecology
Primary Instructor - Fall 2018 / Fall 2019 / Fall 2020 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024
Emphasizes the integration of hydrologic, chemical, and biological processes in controlling river, stream, and reservoir ecosystems at several spatial scales. Students apply ecosystem concepts to current environmental and water quality problems and learn field methods in field trips and a team project.
ENVS 6940 - Master's Candidate for Degree
Primary Instructor - Summer 2021
Registration intended for students preparing for a thesis defense, final examination, culminating activity, or completion of degree.
ENVS 6950 - Master's Thesis
Primary Instructor - Spring 2020 / Fall 2021 / Spring 2022
EVEN 6940 - Master's Candidate for Degree
Primary Instructor - Summer 2024
Registration intended for students preparing for a thesis defense, final examination, culminating activity, or completion of degree.

Background

education and training

Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1979
M.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1978
B.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1975

awards and honors

Distinguished Professorship, conferred by University of Colorado President, 2021
Robert E. Horton Medal, conferred by American Geophysical Union, 2021
Distinguished Service Award, conferred by Association of Environmental Engineering & Science Professors Foundation, 2020
AEESP Distinguished Lecturer, conferred by Association of Environmental Engineering & Science Professors Foundation, 2019
Distinguished Research Lectureship, conferred by Research & Innovation Office, 2015

International Activities

geographic focus

Antarctica Continent
Austria Country
New Zealand Country
Sweden Country

Other Profiles

ORCID iD

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4171-1533

ResearchGate

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Diane-Mcknight