Zhiquan Li
Ph.D. 2018, China University of Geosciences (Beijing)
My Research Primarily focuses on the information that can be gained from sedimentary archives regarding the evolution of Earth's surface through time. A key aspect of this work involves investigating banded iron formations (BIFs). Additionally, I am interested in understanding how ancient sediments were deposited, how they underwent diagenetic modification, and ultimately how they transformed into economic ore deposits. My research emphasizes both depositional and post-depositional processes.
Publications
26. Li, Z., Konhauser, K.O., Pecoits, E., Aubet, N.R., Lalonde, S.V., Zurevinski, S., Allessi, D.S., Robbins, L.J., 2026. Petrography, Chemostratigraphy, and Depositional Controls of the Paleoproterozoic Weeli Wolli Iron Formation, Hamersley Basin, Western Australia. Precambrian Research, in review.
25. Robbins, L.J., Mänd, K., Li, Z. and Konhauser, K.O., 2026. Metal sources and sinks. In The Archean Earth (pp. 411-422). Elsevier.
24. Meng, Z., Huang, K.J., Wang, Z., Li, Z., Robbins, L.J., Hardisty, D.S. and Konhauser, K.O., 2025. Abiotic iron oxidation controlled the deposition of Neoproterozoic iron formations. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta.
23. M. Ilin, A., Yusta, I., Ilyn, M., Martinez-Amesti, A., van der Graaf, C., Sánchez-Andrea, I., Scheinost, A., Prieur, D., Sorrentino, A., Oliete, R. and Li, Z., 2025. Novel pathway of chalcopyrite formation at low temperature in microenvironments of acidic, metal-rich sediments. Communications Earth & Environment, 6(1), p.939.
22. Yan, H., Qin, Z., Xu, L., Mao, J., Tang, D., Huang, Q., Yang, X., Li, Z., Li, J., Li, L. and Robbins, L.J., 2025. An expansive global oxygenation of Earth’s surface environments 1.4 billion years ago. Nature Communications, 16(1), p.10535.
21. Wei, W., Algeo, T.J., Meyer, D., Liu, J., Snihur, K.N., Lazowski, C., Li, Z.Q., Alessi, D.S., Konhauser, K.O., Du, Y. and Yu, W., 2025. Utility of the B/Ga salinity proxy in carbonate and marly sediments. Chemical Geology, 682, p.122751.
20. Wei, W., Algeo, T., Chen, L., Li, Z.Q., Lazowski, C., Snihur, K., Alessi, D. and Konhauser, K., 2025. Evaluation of sample pretreatment methods for boron concentration analysis. Chemical Geology, p.122838.
19. Wei, W., Yu, W., Du, Y., Algeo, T.J., Li, Z.Q., Cheng, M., Wang, P., Zhang, J., Robbins, L.J. and Konhauser, K., 2024. A new salinity-based model for Cryogenian Mn-carbonate deposits. Precambrian Research, 403, p.107309.
18. Li, Z., Konhauser, K.O., Zhou, Y., Adlakha, E., Button, M., Lazowski, C., Pecoits, E., Aubet, N.R., Lecumberri-Sanchez, P., Alessi, D.S. and Robbins, L.J., 2024. How does weathering influence geochemical proxies in Paleoproterozoic banded iron formations? A case study from outcrop samples of 2.46 Ga banded iron formation, Hamersley Basin, Western Australia. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 136(7-8), pp.2735-2752.
17. Yang, X., Mao, J., Wu, C., Li, Z., Konhauser, K.O., Chen, B. and Yang, G., 2023. Genesis and depositional environment of the Carboniferous Baishanquan iron deposit in Eastern Tianshan, Northwestern China. Lithos, p.107304.
16. Li, Z.Q., Zhou, Y.Z., Yu, P.P., Zhang, L.C., Wei, W., Li, Y.H., Konhauser, K.O., Robbins, L.J., 2022. Geology and geochemistry of the high-grade Zankan magnetite ore, Western Kunlun Mountains, NW China. Ore Geology Reviews, 150, p. 105129.
15. Gao, B.Y., Zhang, L.C., Jin, X., Li, Z.Q. and Li, W.J., 2020. Rhenium-Osmium isotope systematics of an Early Mesoproterozoic SEDEX polymetallic pyrite deposit in the North China Craton: Implications for geological significance and the marine osmium isotopic record. Ore Geology Reviews, 117, p.103331.
14. Li, Z.Q., Zhang, L.C., Xue, C.J., Zhu, M.T., Zheng, M.T., Robbins, L.J. and Konhauser, K.O., 2019. Genesis of the Neoproterozoic-Early Cambrian banded iron ore-bearing sedimentary rocks in the Jiertieke-Zankan iron ore belt, West Kunlun Orogenic Belt, Xinjiang (NW China). Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 173, pp.143-160.
13. Robbins, L.J., Funk, S.P., Flynn, S.L., Warchola, T.J., Li, Z.Q., Lalonde, S.V., Rostron, B.J., Smith, A.J., Beukes, N.J., de Kock, M.O., Heaman, L.M., Alessi, D.S., and Konhauser, K.O, 2019. Hydrogeological constraints on the formation of Palaeoproterozoic banded iron formations. Nature Geoscience, 12(7), pp.558-563.
12. Li, Z.Q., Zhang, L.C., Xue, C.J., Zheng, M.T., Zhu, M.T., Robbins, L.J., Slack, J.F., Planavsky, N.J. and Konhauser, K.O., 2018. Earth’s youngest banded iron formation implies ferruginous conditions in the Early Cambrian ocean. Scientific reports, 8(1), pp.1-10.
11. Li, Z.Q., Zhang, L., Xue, C.J., Zheng, M.T., Zhu, M.T., Dong, L.H., and Feng, J., 2018. Geological characteristics, formation age and high-grade ore genesis of Zankan banded iron deposit in the West Kunlun Mountains. Acta Petrologica Sinica, 34(2): pp.427-446. (in Chinese with English abstract)
10. Zheng, M., Wang, C., Zhang, L., Shi, Z., Zhu, M., Li, Z.Q. and He, L., 2018. Geological and geochemical constraints on the origin of the Early Cambrian Kalaizi Fe–Ba deposit in Western Kunlun, NW China. Ore Geology Reviews, 100, pp.347-359.
9. Mao, R., Cheng, X., Mao, Z., Guan, Q., Chen, X., Li, Z.Q., Robbins, L.J. and Konhauser, K.O., 2018. Hydrocarbon potential and biomarker assemblages of Paleogene source rocks in the Cangdong sag, Bohai Bay Basin, China. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 194, pp.9-18.
8. Cheng, X., Mao, Z., Mao, R., Li, Z.Q., Guan, Q. and Chen, X., 2018. Families of reservoired crude oils from the Cangdong Sag, Bohai Bay Basin, China. Organic Geochemistry, 122, pp.115-125.
7. Zheng, M., Zhang, L., Zhu, M., Li, Z.Q., He, L., Shi, Y., Dong, L., and Feng. J., 2016. Formation age and genesis of the Kalaizi Ba-Fe deposit in West Kunlun. Earth Science Frontiers, 2016, 23(5): 252-265. (in Chinese with English abstract)
6. Zhang, L., Feng. J., Dong, L., Zhu, M., Zheng, M., Li, Z.Q., Hao, Y., and Shi, Y., 2016. Deposit types, origin and metallogenetic regularity of Taxkorgan iron ore belt in West Kunlun. Journal of Earth Sciences and Environment. 38(4): 427-443. (in Chinese with English abstract)
5. Li. H., Zhai. M., Zhang. L., Li. Z.Q., Zheng. M., Niu. J. and Yu. P., 2016. Study on geochemistry and micro-area characteristics of Paleoproterozoic chemical sedimentary rocks from Zankan area, West Kunlun, China. Acta Petrologica Sinica, 32(1), pp.233-250. (in Chinese with English abstract)
4. Li, Z.Q., Zhang, L., Xue, C.J., Zheng, M.T., Hao, Y.H. and Shi, Y.J., 2015. Geological and geochemical characteristics of Zankan iron deposit in the West Kunlun Mountains. Chinese J. Geol, 50, pp.100-117. (in Chinese with English abstract)
3. Zheng. M., Zhang. L., Wang C., Zhu. Ming., Li. Z.Q. and Wang. Y., 2015. Formation age and origin of the Xingshan BIF-type iron deposit in eastern Heibei Province. Acta Petrologica Sinica, 31(6), pp.1636- 1652. (in Chinese with English abstract)
2. Wang, J.X., Zhang, L.C., Hao, Y.H., He, L.D., Shi, Y.J., Zheng. M.T. and Li. Z.Q., 2015. GIS-based multivariate information metallogenic prediction of the Taxkorgan sedimentary metamorphic iron deposit in Xinjiang. Geology and Exploration, 51(1), pp.0036-0044. (in Chinese with English abstract)
1. Liu, L., Zhang, L.C., Dai, Y.P., Wang, C.L. and Li, Z.Q., 2012. Formation age, geochemical signatures and geological significance of the Sanheming BIF-type iron deposit in the Guyang greenstone belt, Inner Mongolia. Acta Petrologica Sinica, 28(11), pp.3623-3637. (in Chinese with English abstract)
Conference Abstracts
11. Jonsson, J., Li, Z.Q. (2026) Petrographic study of granular iron formation in the Gunflint Formation: evidence for well-oxygenated surface waters. ILSG Annual Meeting, Thunder Bay. Poster.
10. Gosai, M., Fralick, P., Li, Z.Q. (2026) Modified sequential iron extraction method for analyzing rare earth elements in banded iron formations. ILSG Annual Meeting, Thunder Bay. Poster.
9. Gilberg, N., Fralick, P., Li, Z.Q. (2026) Geochemical signatures and constraints on manganese cycling in the Paleoproterozoic Gunflint Formation. ILSG Annual Meeting, Thunder Bay. Poster.
8. Meng, Z.K., Huang, K.J., Wang Z.F., Zhou, X.Z., Li, Z.Q., Robbins, L.J., Hardisty, D., Konhauser, K.O. (2025) Abiotic iron oxidation controlled the deposition of Neoproterozoic iron formations. Goldschmidt 2025 Conference, Prague, Czech Republic. Oral Presentation.
7. Robbins, L.J., Kreutzer, K.D., Button, M., Shawwa, N.A., Kassim, T., Li, Z.Q., Konhause, K.O. (2025) New Insights from High Resolution Mapping of Trace Elements in Iron Formations. 3rd Geobiology Society Conference, Banff, Canada. Lightening Talk.
6. Li, Z.Q., Shawwa, N.A., Nemeth, B., Isbister, J., Morgan, N., Alessi, D., Robbins, L.J. (2023) Controls on roof failure during potash mining in southern Saskatchewan: An investigation of the Shadowband Clay. GAC-MAC, Ottawa, Canada. Poster.
5. Li, Z.Q., Zhou, Y.Z., Adlakha, E., Lazowski, C., Pecoits, E., Aubet, N.R., Lecumberri-Sanchez, P., Alessi, D., Konhauser, K.O., and Robbins, L.J. (2023) How does weathering influence geochemical proxies in Paleoproterozoic banded iron formations? A case study from outcrop samples of the 2.46 Ga Banded Iron Formation, Hamersley Basin. GAC-MAC, Sudbury, Canada. Oral Presentation.
4. Li, Z.Q., Zhou, Y.Z., Zhang, L.C., Zhang, M.T., Robbins, L.J., and Konhauser, K.O. (2023) Genesis and depositional environment of the iron metallogenic belt in the Taxkorgan region, West Kunlun Mountains, China. Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC), Toronto, Canada. Poster.
3. Li, Z.Q., Zhou, Y.Z., Liang, X.Q., Lazowski, C., Pecoits, E., Aubet, N.R., Lalonde, S.V, Robbins, L.J., and Konhauser, K.O. (2022) How does weathering influence geochemical signals in Paleoproterozoic banded iron formations? A case study from an outcrop sample of the Boolgeeda Iron Formation. GAC-MAC, Halifax, Canada. Poster.
2. Li, Z.Q., Zhang, L.C., Zhang, M.T., Wang, C.L., Robbins, L.J., and Konhauser, K.O. (2017) Geological characteristics, formation age, and geochemistry of the Jiertieke iron-rich sediments in the West Kunlun Mountains, China. 1st Geobiology Society Conference, Banff, Canada. Poster.
1. Li, Z.Q., Zhang, L.C., Xue, C.J., Zheng, M.T., Hao, Y.H. and Shi, Y.J. (2015) Geological and geochemical characteristics of Zankan iron deposit in the West Kunlun Mountains. 7th National Symposium of Mineralization Theories and Prospecting Method conference, Changsha, China. Oral Presentation