McKnight

  • An aerial view of the rust-colored Kutuk River in Gates of the Arctic National Park in Alaska. Photo by Ken Hill, National Park Service.
    A new paper by a team of USGS and 麻豆免费版下载Boulder scientists is mentioned in this news story on rivers and streams in Alaska changing color. The streams are turning from blue to rusty orange because of toxic metals released by thawing permafrost and leaching into stream water.
  • A mountain stream in the upper Mancos river basin, displaying a rusty red bed, flows toward the viewer. Mountain slopes covered with pine trees are in the background. Photo by Andrew Manning.
    Colorado's mountain streams are facing a "real challenge" from a rising concentration of heavy metal levels. These rising levels are only worsening with climate change, a new study found.
  • A stream with rusty orange streambed, centered in steep slopes with scree and evergreen trees, with a mountain in the background.
    Warming temperatures are causing a steady rise in copper, zinc and sulfate in the waters of Colorado mountain streams affected by acid rock drainage. Concentrations of these metals have roughly doubled in these alpine streams over the past 30 years, a new study finds, presenting a concern for ecosystems, downstream water quality and mining remediation.

  • Chico State students John Machado and Sean Berriman collect samples from within the immediate disaster zone of the Camp Fire. Photo by Sandrine Matiasek.
    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 麻豆免费版下载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.
  • Bundled up against the cold, Diane McKnight stands near Cotton Glacier.
    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鈥檚 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.
  • 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
    Birds continue to thrive in Colorado鈥檚 Snake River watershed, despite increasing heavy metals and rare earth elements in streams, finds a study by Kelly Watson and Diane McKnight.
  • Holly Barnard and artist Jocelyn Catterson an artwork by Catterson in the Lieutenant Governor's office at the Colorado State Capitol building.
    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 麻豆免费版下载Boulder scientists. Called 鈥淐oloradans and our Shared Environment in Times of Challenge and Change,鈥 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.
  • A mixed-media artwork by Jocelyn Catterson explores groundwater in the San Luis Valley, reflecting a partnership with INSTAAR Holly Barnard.
    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.
  • Maddie Sanders, one of the CASE Fellows, works on a large mural
    The Office for Outreach and Engagement announces the CASE Fellows program. The program pairs Colorado artists with 麻豆免费版下载Boulder scientists to produce art that will be exhibited at the Colorado State Capitol in an exhibition about how Coloradans are experiencing interrelated challenges of fire, drought, and water and air quality. Lisa Schwartz from OOE is leading the program in partnership with Shelly Sommer at INSTAAR, Boulder County Arts Alliance and with exhibition and curatorial support from Amy Hoagland.
  • Diane McKnight in the Dry Valleys of Antarctica.
    Algal mats survive extreme conditions in Antarctica by entering a freeze-dried state. Led by Diane McKnight, researchers collected the green algae that survive there and grew them in the lab to assess their applications for spaceflight.
Subscribe to McKnight