Skip to menu Skip to content Skip to footer
Dr

Wenfeng Deng

Email: 

Overview

Background

I specialize in applying geochemical theories and methods, particularly elemental and isotopic analyses, to study past climate and environmental changes. My research focuses on high-resolution reconstructions of climate variability and the responses of marine carbonates to environmental shifts. One of my key contributions has been developing a high-precision carbonate clumped isotope (Δ47) analysis method. This work has clarified biological effects on Δ47 in biogenic carbonates and uncovered fractionation mechanisms during diagenesis and burial, providing a theoretical foundation for broader Δ47 applications in climate studies. I have also reconstructed high-resolution climate records for the South China Sea and western Pacific during the mid-to-late Holocene. These records help distinguish natural climate variability from anthropogenic influences, offering critical insights into past and present climate trends. Additionally, my research has explored traditional and novel isotopic compositions in coral skeletons as indicators of coral biological activity. This work introduces new perspectives on how corals respond and adapt to environmental changes, contributing to a deeper understanding of coral resilience under future climate scenarios.

Availability

Dr Wenfeng Deng is:
Available for supervision

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences (中国地质大学)
  • Doctor of Philosophy of Geochemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences

Research interests

  • Advanced Clumped Isotope Approaches for Climate Evolution

    My research refines high-precision Δ47 analysis in carbonate samples to reveal biological and geological fractionation mechanisms. This work enhances clumped isotope applications in deciphering past climate and environmental changes, laying a crucial theoretical foundation for more accurate reconstructions of Earth’s climate history.

  • Holocene Climate Reconstruction in Marine Environments

    I reconstruct mid- to late-Holocene climate and environmental records in the South China Sea–Western Pacific using elemental and isotopic geochemistry. These high-resolution datasets clarify natural versus anthropogenic climate drivers and highlight the role of human activities in shaping regional and global environmental change.

  • Coral Biomineralization and Climate Adaptation

    I explore both novel and conventional isotope markers in coral skeletons to assess coral biological activity and responses to ocean warming. This work reveals corals’ adaptive strategies under shifting environmental conditions, offering new perspectives for predicting and mitigating future climate impacts on marine ecosystems.

Works

Search Professor Wenfeng Deng’s works on UQ eSpace

90 works between 2006 and 2025

21 - 40 of 90 works

2023

Journal Article

Coral paleoclimate perspectives support the role of low‐latitude forcing on the 4.2 ka BP event

Chen, Xuefei, Deng, Wenfeng, Xiao, Hangfang, Guo, Huimin, Zeng, Ti, Zhao, Jian‐xin and Wei, Gangjian (2023). Coral paleoclimate perspectives support the role of low‐latitude forcing on the 4.2 ka BP event. Geophysical Research Letters, 50 (13) e2023GL104010. doi: 10.1029/2023gl104010

Coral paleoclimate perspectives support the role of low‐latitude forcing on the 4.2 ka BP event

2023

Journal Article

Coral Sr/Ca-derived seasonal sea surface temperature variations in the Qiongdong upwelling area of the northern South China Sea during the Medieval Climate Anomaly

Guo, Huimin, Deng, Wenfeng, Chen, Xuefei, Liu, Xi, Zeng, Ti, Zhao, Jian-xin and Wei, Gangjian (2023). Coral Sr/Ca-derived seasonal sea surface temperature variations in the Qiongdong upwelling area of the northern South China Sea during the Medieval Climate Anomaly. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 612 111374, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2022.111374

Coral Sr/Ca-derived seasonal sea surface temperature variations in the Qiongdong upwelling area of the northern South China Sea during the Medieval Climate Anomaly

2023

Journal Article

工业革命以来南海珊瑚钙化生长对海洋升温的响应 

Chen, Xuefei, Deng, Wenfeng and Wei, Gangjian (2023). 工业革命以来南海珊瑚钙化生长对海洋升温的响应 . Quaternary Sciences, 43 (2), 448-457. doi: 10.11928/j.issn.1001-7410.2023.02.13

工业革命以来南海珊瑚钙化生长对海洋升温的响应 

2022

Journal Article

Ocean circulation and climate variability in the northern South China Sea during the Greek Minimum derived from coral Δ14C and Sr/Ca records

Wang, Ning, Shen, Chengde, Ding, Ping, Ding, Xingfang, Liu, Kexin, Sun, Weidong, Chen, Xuefei, Deng, Wenfeng and Wei, Gangjian (2022). Ocean circulation and climate variability in the northern South China Sea during the Greek Minimum derived from coral Δ14C and Sr/Ca records. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 607 111276, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2022.111276

Ocean circulation and climate variability in the northern South China Sea during the Greek Minimum derived from coral Δ14C and Sr/Ca records

2022

Journal Article

Geochemical significance of Acropora death assemblages in the northern South China Sea: implications for environmental reconstruction using branching corals

Chen, Xuefei, Deng, Wenfeng, Yan, Shuang, Liu, Xi, Zhao, Jian-xin and Wei, Gangjian (2022). Geochemical significance of Acropora death assemblages in the northern South China Sea: implications for environmental reconstruction using branching corals. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 603 111197, 1-14. doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2022.111197

Geochemical significance of Acropora death assemblages in the northern South China Sea: implications for environmental reconstruction using branching corals

2022

Journal Article

Possible link between decadal variability in precipitation in the South China Sea and the North Atlantic Oscillation during the 20th century: a perspective from coral geochemical records

Cui, Hao, Deng, Wenfeng, Liu, Xi, Kang, Huiling, Chen, Xuefei, Zeng, Ti, Cai, Guanqiang, Zhao, Jian-xin and Wei, Gangjian (2022). Possible link between decadal variability in precipitation in the South China Sea and the North Atlantic Oscillation during the 20th century: a perspective from coral geochemical records. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 601 111118, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2022.111118

Possible link between decadal variability in precipitation in the South China Sea and the North Atlantic Oscillation during the 20th century: a perspective from coral geochemical records

2022

Journal Article

Evaluation of coral skeletal δ88Sr as a paleoclimate proxy in the northern South China Sea

Wei, Yuxuan, Deng, Wenfeng, Ma, Jinlong, Chen, Xuefei, Zeng, Ti and Wei, Gangjian (2022). Evaluation of coral skeletal δ88Sr as a paleoclimate proxy in the northern South China Sea. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 592 110906, 110906. doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2022.110906

Evaluation of coral skeletal δ88Sr as a paleoclimate proxy in the northern South China Sea

2022

Journal Article

Experimental constraints on clumped isotope fractionation during BaCO <sub>3</sub> precipitation

Guo, Yangrui, Deng, Wenfeng and Wei, Gangjian (2022). Experimental constraints on clumped isotope fractionation during BaCO 3 precipitation. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 23 (3) e2021GC010249. doi: 10.1029/2021gc010249

Experimental constraints on clumped isotope fractionation during BaCO <sub>3</sub> precipitation

2021

Journal Article

A replication study on coral δ 11 B and B/Ca and their variation in modern and fossil Porites : implications for coral calcifying fluid chemistry and seawater pH changes over the last millennium

Chen, Xuefei, Deng, Wenfeng, Kang, Huiling, Zeng, Ti, Zhang, Le, Zhao, Jian‐xin and Wei, Gangjian (2021). A replication study on coral δ 11 B and B/Ca and their variation in modern and fossil Porites : implications for coral calcifying fluid chemistry and seawater pH changes over the last millennium. Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology, 36 (10) e2021PA004319. doi: 10.1029/2021pa004319

A replication study on coral δ 11 B and B/Ca and their variation in modern and fossil Porites : implications for coral calcifying fluid chemistry and seawater pH changes over the last millennium

2021

Journal Article

Thermal alteration history of the Fenghuoshan Group, Hoh Xil Basin, northern Tibetan Plateau: insights from clumped isotope thermometry

Kong, Kai, Deng, Wenfeng, Guo, Yangrui, Jin, Chunsheng, Liu, Qingsong and Wei, Gangjian (2021). Thermal alteration history of the Fenghuoshan Group, Hoh Xil Basin, northern Tibetan Plateau: insights from clumped isotope thermometry. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 126 (10) e2021JB022009. doi: 10.1029/2021jb022009

Thermal alteration history of the Fenghuoshan Group, Hoh Xil Basin, northern Tibetan Plateau: insights from clumped isotope thermometry

2021

Journal Article

Skeletal growth response of Porites coral to long‐term ocean warming and acidification in the South China Sea

Kang, Huiling, Chen, Xuefei, Deng, Wenfeng, Wang, Xijie, Cui, Hao, Liu, Xi, Cai, Guanqiang, Zeng, Ti, Zhao, Jian‐xin and Wei, Gangjian (2021). Skeletal growth response of Porites coral to long‐term ocean warming and acidification in the South China Sea. Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences, 126 (10) e2021JG006423. doi: 10.1029/2021jg006423

Skeletal growth response of Porites coral to long‐term ocean warming and acidification in the South China Sea

2021

Journal Article

Clumped isotope geochemistry of island carbonates in the South China Sea: Implications for early diagenesis and dolomitization

Guo, Yangrui, Deng, Wenfeng, Liu, Xi, Kong, Kai, Yan, Wen and Wei, Gangjian (2021). Clumped isotope geochemistry of island carbonates in the South China Sea: Implications for early diagenesis and dolomitization. Marine Geology, 437 106513, 106513. doi: 10.1016/j.margeo.2021.106513

Clumped isotope geochemistry of island carbonates in the South China Sea: Implications for early diagenesis and dolomitization

2021

Journal Article

Change of coral carbon isotopic response to anthropogenic Suess effect since around 2000s

Liu, Xi, Deng, Wenfeng, Cui, Hao, Chen, Xuefei, Cai, Guanqiang, Zeng, Ti and Wei, Gangjian (2021). Change of coral carbon isotopic response to anthropogenic Suess effect since around 2000s. Marine Environmental Research, 168 105328, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105328

Change of coral carbon isotopic response to anthropogenic Suess effect since around 2000s

2021

Journal Article

Improved apparatus for phosphoric acid digestion of carbonates to determine the carbon, oxygen and clumped isotope compositions

Liu, Xi, Deng, Wenfeng, Guo, Yangrui and Wei, Gangjian (2021). Improved apparatus for phosphoric acid digestion of carbonates to determine the carbon, oxygen and clumped isotope compositions. Analytical Letters, 54 (18), 1-13. doi: 10.1080/00032719.2021.1904252

Improved apparatus for phosphoric acid digestion of carbonates to determine the carbon, oxygen and clumped isotope compositions

2021

Journal Article

Temperature control on high-resolution SIMS oxygen isotopic compositions in Porites coral skeletons

Zou, Jieqiong, Deng, Wenfeng, Chen, Xuefei, Liu, Xi, Guo, Yangrui, Cai, Guanqiang, Xia, Xiaoping, Yang, Qing, Zhang, Yanqiang, Zeng, Ti and Wei, Gangjian (2021). Temperature control on high-resolution SIMS oxygen isotopic compositions in Porites coral skeletons. Solid Earth Sciences, 6 (2), 129-141. doi: 10.1016/j.sesci.2021.02.002

Temperature control on high-resolution SIMS oxygen isotopic compositions in Porites coral skeletons

2021

Journal Article

A rapid cooling event over the western Pacific region during the Middle Bronze Age

Xiao, Hangfang, Deng, Wenfeng, Liu, Xi, Chen, Xuefei, Guo, Yangrui, Zhao, Jian‐xin, Zeng, Ti and Wei, Gangjian (2021). A rapid cooling event over the western Pacific region during the Middle Bronze Age. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 126 (2) e2020JC016964. doi: 10.1029/2020jc016964

A rapid cooling event over the western Pacific region during the Middle Bronze Age

2020

Journal Article

A pilot study on zinc isotopic compositions in shallow‐water coral skeletons

Xiao, Hangfang, Deng, Wenfeng, Wei, Gangjian, Chen, Jiubin, Zheng, Xinqing, Shi, Tuo, Chen, Xuefei, Wang, Chenying, Liu, Xi and Zeng, Ti (2020). A pilot study on zinc isotopic compositions in shallow‐water coral skeletons. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 21 (11) e2020GC009430. doi: 10.1029/2020gc009430

A pilot study on zinc isotopic compositions in shallow‐water coral skeletons

2020

Journal Article

Terrestrial signature in coral Ba/Ca, δ18O, and δ13C records from a macrotide-dominated nearshore reef environment, Kimberley region of Northwestern Australia

Chen, Xuefei, Deng, Wenfeng, Wei, Gangjian and McCulloch, Malcolm (2020). Terrestrial signature in coral Ba/Ca, δ18O, and δ13C records from a macrotide-dominated nearshore reef environment, Kimberley region of Northwestern Australia. Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences, 125 (3) e2019JG005394. doi: 10.1029/2019JG005394

Terrestrial signature in coral Ba/Ca, δ18O, and δ13C records from a macrotide-dominated nearshore reef environment, Kimberley region of Northwestern Australia

2020

Journal Article

Exploring the temperature dependence of clumped isotopes in modern Porites corals

Guo, Yangrui, Deng, Wenfeng, Wei, Gangjian, Chen, Xuefei, Liu, Xi, Wang, Xijie, Lo, Li, Cai, Guanqiang and Zeng, Ti (2020). Exploring the temperature dependence of clumped isotopes in modern Porites corals. Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences, 125 (1) e2019JG005402. doi: 10.1029/2019JG005402

Exploring the temperature dependence of clumped isotopes in modern Porites corals

2020

Journal Article

Metabolic significance of temperature-dependent changes in annual resolution coral δ13C from the South China Sea during the mid-Holocene

Guo, Yangrui, Deng, Wenfeng, Wei, Gangjian, Xiao, Hangfang and Chen, Xuefei (2020). Metabolic significance of temperature-dependent changes in annual resolution coral δ13C from the South China Sea during the mid-Holocene. Regional Studies in Marine Science, 33 100950, 100950. doi: 10.1016/j.rsma.2019.100950

Metabolic significance of temperature-dependent changes in annual resolution coral δ13C from the South China Sea during the mid-Holocene

Supervision

Availability

Dr Wenfeng Deng is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Media

Enquiries

For media enquiries about Dr Wenfeng Deng's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au