I am interested in biogeochemical cycles of major and trace elements across a wide range of spatial and temporal scales, and their implications for key processes that have shaped surface environments of our planet throughout geological history. I specialize in isotope geochemistry. My current research includes several related components:

• Development of new techniques for isotope analysis;
• Experimental isotope geochemistry for non-traditional stable isotopes; 
• Chemical oceanography
• Reconstructions of paleo-climate and environment using stable and radiogenic isotopes (in particular, ocean circulation and redox state of past oceans)

Isotope Geochemistry Lab

Visit Xinyuan Zheng's Experts@Minnesota profile page.

Education

PhD, 2014, University of Oxford

Selected Publications

Xin-Yuan Zheng, Brian Beard, Clark Johnson (2019). Constraining silicon isotope exchange kinetics and fractionation between aqueous and amorphous Si at room temperature. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 253, 267–289.

Xin-Yuan Zheng, Brian Beard, Clark Johnson (2018). Assessment of matrix effects associated with Fe isotope analysis using 266 nm femtosecond and 193 nm nanosecond laser ablation multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry 33, 68–83.

Xin-Yuan Zheng, Brian Beard, Seungyeol Lee, Thiruchelvi Reddy, Huifang Xu, Clark Johnson (2017). Contrasting particle size distributions and Fe isotope fractionations during nanosecond and femtosecond laser ablation of Fe minerals: implications for LA-MC-ICP-MS analysis of stable isotopes. Chemical Geology 450, 235–247.

Xin-Yuan Zheng, Brian Beard, Thiruchelvi Reddy, Eric Roden, Clark Johnson (2016). Abiologic silicon isotope fractionation between aqueous Si and Fe(III)–Si gel in simulated Archean seawater: Implications for Si isotope records in Precambrian sedimentary rocks. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 187, 102–122.

Xin-Yuan Zheng, Yves Plancherel, Mak Saito, Peter Scott, Gideon Henderson (2016). Rare earth elements (REEs) in the tropical South Atlantic and quantitative deconvolution of their non-conservative behavior. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 177, 217–237.

Xin-Yuan Zheng, Hugh Jenkyns, Andrew Gale, David Ward, Gideon Henderson (2016). A climatic control on reorganization of ocean circulation during the mid-Cenomanian event and Cenomanian-Turonian oceanic anoxic event (OAE 2): Nd isotope evidence. Geology 44, 151–154.

Xin-Yuan Zheng, Jingjing Yang, Gideon Henderson (2015). A robust procedure for high-precision determination of rare earth element concentrations in seawater. Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research 39, 277–292.

Xin-Yuan Zheng, Hugh Jenkyns, Andrew Gale, David Ward, Gideon Henderson (2013). Changing ocean circulation and hydrothermal inputs during Ocean Anoxic Event 2 (Cenomanian–Turonian): Evidence from Nd-isotopes in the European shelf sea. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 375, 338–348.