Ocean Biogeochemistry, Plankton Ecosystem Dynamics and Modeling, Biophysical Coupling and Interaction

Coastal Oceanography under Global Change, Multiscale Ocean Dynamics via Glider Observations

Ph.D., 2007 Marine and Atmospheric Chemistry, University of Miami, Florida, USA

       Thesis: Nutrient Biogeochemistry of Mesoscale Eddies in the Sargasso Sea

       Committee: Profs Dennis Hansell (advisor), Frank Millero, Rik Wanninkhof, William Johns

B.Sc., 1999 Department of Oceanography, Xiamen University, Fujian, China

2012--pres.: Professor, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing

2012--pres.: Principal Investigator, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou

2007--2012: Postdoctoral Scholar and Researcher, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California -San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA

2003--2007: Research Assistant, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Key Biscayne, Florida, USA

2002--2003: Research Associate, Atlantic Oceanographic and Meterological Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Miami, Florida, USA

(*: corresponding author)

1. Salifu, A., Li, Q.P.*, Wu, Z., Sun, F., Guo, L., 2026 Environmental drivers of allometric scaling in epipelagic tunas: regional responses to sea surface temperature and chlorophyll-a. Journal of Environmental Management, 417, 130873, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2026.130873.
2. Zhu, Y., Wu, Z., Li, Y., Wang, Z., Sun, F., Guo, L., Cheng, Y., Ruan, J., Gong, S., Li, Q.P.*, 2026 Phosphorus limitation enhances the production and release of allelochemicals: Dynamics of oxylipins in estuarine bloom-forming diatoms. Marine Environmental Research, https://doi,org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.108419.
3. Sun, F., Wang, Y., Wu, Z., Li, Q.P., Wu, M., 2026. Contrasting Bacterial and Eukaryotic Microbial Communities across a Stratified Water Column in the Northern South China Sea. Marine Environmental Research, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.108409.
4. Ye, F., Shi, Z., Wei, G., Li, Q.P., 2026 Particulate organic matter dynamics and its isotopic signatures in the northern South China Sea during the decaying stage of a super El Niño event. Journal of Geophysical Research, Ocean,131, e2025JC023601. https://doi.org/10.1029/2025JC023601
5. Fumenia, A., Loisel, H., Moutin, T., Adams, J.C., Agogué, H., Aluwihare, L.I., Arrigo, K.R., Babin, M., Baetge, N., Balch, W.M., Bates, N.R., Bjorkman, K., Bochdansky, A.B., Bonnet, S., Bozec, Y., Cattaneo, R.,  Cauvin, A., Chaves, J.E., Church, M.J., Claquin, P., Conan, P., Crispi, O., Crouvoisier, M., Amo, Y.D., Devred, E., Diaz, J.M., Djaoudi, K., Drapeau, D.T., Duhamel, S., Fassbender, A.J., Garcia, C., Giannecchini, L., Goñi, M.A., Grabowski, E., Grégori, G., Grosso, O., Grossteffan, E., Guieu, C., Guillou, G.,  Johannessen, S.C., Johnson, R.J., Jolly, O., Juhl, A.R., Karl, D.M., Koester, I., Koch, F., Krock, B., Labourdette, N., Lagadec, V., Landry, M.R., Leblanc, K., Lebreton, B., Leroux, C., Leynaert, A., Li, Q.P., Lizon, F., Lomas, M.W., Mannino, A., Marie, B., Martiny, A.C., Mas, S., McGillicuddy, D.J., Mériaux, X., Mills, M.M., Moisez, E., Mostajir, B., Mousseau, L., Nelson, C.E., Nunige, S., Pecqueur, D., Petit, F.,  Pineau, P., Pujo-Pay, M., Pulido, E., Reimers, C.E., Reynolds, R.A., Rimmelin-Maury, P., Sachdev, E.,  Savoye, N., Sherrell, R.M., Steinberg, D.K., Stramsk, D., Strutton, P.G., Stukel, M.R., Subramaniam, A.,  Sultan, E., Tzortziou, M., Turk-Kubo, K., Patricia L. Yager, P.L., van Dijken, G., Vantrepotte, V., Vidussi, F., Waggoner, E.M., Kelly, L.W., 2026 Global compilation of in situ particulate organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus concentrations in coastal and open ocean waters, Scientific Data, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-026-08413-7
6. Guo, Y., Lin, J., Wu, Z., Li, Q.P.*, 2026 Spatial Variability in Microzooplankton Grazing and Its Relationship to Carbon Export Efficiency in the South China Sea During the Summer. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 14, 1003, https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14111003
7. Li, J., Chen, L., Zheng, K., Geng, J., Li, Z., Yao, M., Wang, B., Naseeb, A., Zhou, Z., Liu, P., Chen, S., Wang, M., Law, N., Xie, C., Sun, J., Feng, Z., Li, H., Gu, H., Chen, J., Li, Q.P., 2026 In Situ Imaging-Based Intelligent Observations of Plankton: From Optical Sampling to Perception, Acta Optica Sinica (光学学报), 46(12), 1-30.
8. Yang, Y., Wu, Z., Cheng, Y., Wu, M., Li, Q.P., 2025 Dynamic analysis of particulate adsorbed oxylipins in typical coastal diatoms and their application in bloom monitoring, Chn J Trop Oceanogr (热带海洋学报）, 44(3), 179-187, doi:10.11978/2024190
9. Zhang, Y., Deng, L., Ge, Z., Guo, L., Li, Q.P.*, 2024 Sedimentary biogeochemical gradients across the Sunda Shelf in the South China Sea and correlations with satellite observations. Frontiers in Marine Science, 11:1414546. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2024.1414546
10. Wu, Z., Li, Q.P.*, Rivkin, R.B., Lin, S., 2023 Role of diatom-derived oxylipins in organic phosphorus recycling during coastal diatom blooms in the northern South China Sea, Science of the Total Environment, 903, 166518, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166518
11. Huang. L., Li, Q.P.*, Yuan, X., Li H., 2023 Microplastic pollution and regulating factors in the surface sediment of the Xuande Atolls in the South China Sea, Marine Pollution Bulletin, 196, 115562, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115562.
12. Huang, L., Li, Q.P.*, Li, H., Lin, L., Xu, X., Yuan, X., Koongola, J.B., Li, H., 2023 Microplastic contamination in coral reef fishes and its potential risks in the remote Xisha areas of the South China Sea, Marine Pollution Bulletin, 186, 114399, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114399.
13. Liu, Z., Dong, Y.*, Li, Q.P.*, Wu, Z., Ge, Z., Ma, M., 2023 Temporal change of plankton size structure preserved by Lugol's solution: a FlowCAM study, Journal of Oceanology and Limnology, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00343-021-1155-1
14. Chen, Y., Li, Q.P.*, Yu, J., 2022 Submesoscale variability of subsurface chlorophyll-a across eddy-driven fronts by glider observations, Progress in Oceanography, 209, 102905, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2022.102905
15. Ge, Z., Li, Q.P.*, Yang, W., Liu X., Wu, Z., 2022 Transparent exopolymer particle dynamics along a shelf-to-sea gradient and impacts on the regional carbon cycle, Science of the Total Environment, 808, 152117, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152117
16. Dong, Y., Li, Q.P.*, Wu, Z., Shuai, Y., Liu, Z., Ge, Z., Zhou, W., Chen, Y., 2021 Biophysical controls on seasonal changes in the structure, growth, and grazing of the size-fractionated phytoplankton community in the northern South China Sea, Biogeosciences, 18, 6424-6434, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-6424-2021
17. Liu, Z., Li, Q.P.*, Ge, Z., Shuai, Y., 2021 Variability of plankton size distribution and controlling factors across a coastal frontal zone, Progress in Oceanography, 197, 102665, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2021.102665
18. Liu, Z., Li, Q.P.*, Chen, Y., Shuai, Y., Ma, M., 2021 Tidal effects on plankton community and size structure in the Huangmao Bay of the South China Sea, Oceanologia et Limologia Sinca (海洋与湖沼), 52(6), 1408-1417, doi: 10.11693/hyhz20210400107.
19. Shuai, Y., Li, Q.P.*, Wu, Z., 2021 Biogeochemical responses to nutrient fluxes in the open South China Sea: a 3-D modeling study, Journal of Geophysical Research, Ocean, 126(5), e2020JC016895. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JC016895
20. Wang, T., Yu, P., Wu, Z., Lu, W., Liu, X., Li, Q.P., Huang, B., 2021 Revisiting the intraseasonal variability of chlorophyll-a in the adjacent Luzon Strait with a new gap-filled remote sensing dataset, IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, 60, 1-11, https://doi: 10.1109/TGRS.2021.3067646
21. Wu, Z., Li, Q.P.*, Ge, Z., Huang, B., Dong, C., 2021 Impacts of biogenic polyunsaturated aldehydes on metabolism and community composition of particle-attached bacteria in coastal hypoixa, Biogeosciences, 18, 1049-1065, https://doi: 10.5194/bg-1049-2021.
22. Li, Q.P.*, Ge, Z., Liu, Z., Zhou, W., Shuai, Y., Wu, Z., 2021 Transparent exopolymer particles in a coastal frontal zone of the northern South China Sea and the assoicated biogeochemical implications, Journal of Geophysical Research, Biogeosciences, 126(2), e2020JG005893, https://doi: 10.1029/2020JG005893.
23. Wu, Z., Li, Q.P.*, Dong, Y., Xu, J., Luo, L., 2021 High resolution surveys of phytoplankton-derived polyunsaturated aldehydes at frontal zones outside a eutrophic estuary, Journal of Geophysical Research, Biogeosciences, 126(3), e2020JG005808, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JG005808.
24. Zhou, W., Li, Q.P.*, Wu, Z., 2021 Coastal phytoplankton responses to atmospheric depositions during summer, Limnology and Oceanography, 66(4), 1298-1315, https://doi:10.1002/lno.11683.
25. Shuai, Y., Chen, Y., Liu, Z., Ge, Z., Ma, M., Dong, Y., Li, Q.P.*, 2021 Distribution of the Pearl river plume and its ecological characteristics during spring monsoon transitional period in 2016, Chn J Trop Oceanogr （热带海洋学报）, 40(5), 63-71, https://doi:10.11978/2020107
26. Ma, M., Li, Q.P.*, Chen, Y., Wu, Z., Yu, J., 2021 Underwater glider observations of the oxygen minimum zone near the continental slope area of the northern South China Sea, Chn J Trop Oceanogr （热带海洋学报）, accepted
27. Huang, L., Li, Q.P.*, Xu, X., Yuan, X., Lin, L., Li, H., 2020 Composition and dstribution of microplastics in the surface seawater of Xisha Island, Chinese Science Bulletin （科学通报）, 66(24), 2627-2635, https://doi:10.1360/TB-2020-0220.
28. Zhou, W., Li, Q.P.*, Ge, Z., Liu, Z., Shuai, Y., Ma, M., 2020 Response of phytoplankton community in the Pearl River plume front to atmospheric depositions, Chn J Trop Oceanogr （热带海洋学报）, 39(4), 50-60, doi: 10.11978/2019101.
29. Yu, X., Xu, J., Long, A., Li, R., Shi, Z., Li, Q.P., 2020 Carbon-to-chlorophyll ratio and carbon content of phytoplankton community in coastal waters adjacent to the Pearl River Estuary during summer, Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 39, 123-131, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13131-020-1556-6.
30. Ge, Z., Wu, Z., Liu, Z., Zhou, W., Dong, Y., Li, Q.P.*, 2020 Using detaching method to determine the abundance of particle-attached bacteria from the Pearl River Estuary and its coupling relationship with environmental factors, Chn J Mar Environ Sci（海洋环境科学）, 4, 505-510, doi:10.12111/j.mes.20190065.
31. Shi, Z., Xu, J., Li, X., Li, R., Li, Q.P., 2019 Links of extracellular enzyme activities, microbial metabolism and community composition in the river-impacted coastal waters, Journal of Geophysical Research, Biogeosciences, 124(11), 35073520, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JG005095
32. Martiny, A.C., Lomas, M.W., Fu, W., Boyd, P.W., Chen, Y.L., Cutter, G.A., Ellwood, M.J., Furuya, K., Hashihama, F., Kanda, J., Karl, D.M., Kodama, T., Li, Q.P., Ma, J., Moutin, T., Woodward, E.M.S., Moore, K.J., 2019 Biogeochemical controls of surface ocean phosphate, Science Advances, 5(8), eaax0341, https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aax0341
33. Chen, Y., Wu, Z., Li, Q.P.*, 2018 Temporal change of export production at Xisha of the northern South China Sea, Journal of Geophysical Research, Ocean, 123, 9305-9319, doi:10.1029/2017JC013619
34. Xu, J., Li, X., Shi, Z., Li, R., Li, Q.P., 2018 Bacterial carbon cycling in the river plume in the northern South China Sea during summer, Journal of Geophysical Research, Ocean, 123, 8106-8121, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JC014277
35. Li, X., Xu, J., Shi, Z., Xu, D., Li, R., Li, Q.P., Liu, H.B., 2018 Regulation of protist grazing on bacterioplankton by hydrological conditions in coastal waters, Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 218, 1-8.
36. Dong, Y., Li, Q.P.*, Liu, Z., Wu, Z., Zhou, W., 2018 Size-dependent phytoplankton growth and grazing in the northern South China Sea, Marine Ecology Progress Series, 599, 35-47, https://doi.org/10.3354/meps12614.
37. Li, Q.P.*, Zhou, W., Chen, Y., Wu, Z., 2018 Phytoplankton responses to a plume front in the northern South China Sea, Biogeosciences, 15, 2551-2563, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-2017-495.
38. Cózar, A.,  Morillo-García, S., Ortega, M., Li, Q.P., Bartual, A., 2018 Macroecological patterns of the phytoplankton production of polyunsaturated aldehydes, Scientific Reports, 8:12282, doi:10.1038/s41598-018-29787-8.
39. Li, X., Xu, J., Shi, Z., Li, Q.P., Li R., 2018 Variability in empirical leucine-to-carbon conversion factors along an environmental gradient, Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 37(4), 77-82.
40. Li, Q.P.*, Franks, P.J.S., Landry, M.R., 2017 Recovering growth and grazing rates from nonlinear dilution experiments, Limnology and Oceanography, 62(5), 1825-1835, doi:10.1002/lno.10536.
41. He, Q., Zhan, H., Shuai, Y., Cai, S., Li, Q.P., Huang, G., Li J., 2017 Phytoplankton bloom triggered in an anticyclonic eddy: the combined effect of eddy-Ekman pumping and winter deepening of mixing, Journal of Geophysical Research, Ocean, 122(6), 4886-4901, doi: 10.1002/2017JC012763.
42. Wu, Z., Li, Q.P.*, 2016 Spatial distributions of polyunsaturated aldehydes and their biogeochemical implications in the Pearl River Estuary and the adjacent northern South China Sea, Progress in Oceanography, 147, 1-9, doi:10.1016/j.pocean.2016.07.010.
43. Dong, Y., Li, Q.P.*, Wu, Z., Zhang, J., 2016 Variability in sinking fluxes and composition of particle-bound phosphorus in the Xisha area of the northern South China Sea, Deep Sea Research, Part I, 118, 1-9, doi:10.1016/j.dsr.2016.10.007.
44. Li, Q.P.*, Hansell, D.A., 2016 Mechanisms controlling vertical variability of subsurface chlorophyll maximum in a mode-water eddy, Journal of Marine Research, 74, 175-199.
45. Li, Q.P.*, Dong, Y., Wang, Y., 2016 Phytoplankton dynamics driven by vertical nutrient fluxes during the spring inter-monsoon period in the northeastern South China Sea. Biogeosciences, 13, 455-466, 2016, doi:10.5194/bg-13-455-2016.
46. Li, Q.P.*, Wang, Y., Dong, Y., Gan, J., 2015 Modeling of long-term variability of planktonic ecosystems in the northern South China Sea and the upstream Kuroshio, Journal of Geophysical Research, Ocean, 120(6), 3913-3936, doi:10.1002/2014JC010609.
47. Wang, Y., Dong, Y., Zhou, W., Chen, Y., Li, Q.P.*, 2015 Modeling the impact of N2-fixation on the ecosystem dynamics in the upstream Kuroshio, Chn J Trop Oceanogr （热带海洋学报）, 35(1): 102-111.
48. Chen, Y., Wang, S., Hu, S., Zhou, C., Shi, Z., Li, Q.P., Huang, X., 2015 Fluorescence characteristics of dissolved organic matter in the seagrass ecosystem from Hainan by fluorescence excitation-emission matrix spectroscopy. Spectroscopy & Spectral Analysis, 35(1), 141-145.
49. Li, Q.P.*, Franks, P.J.S., Ohman, M.D., Landry, M.R., 2012 Enhanced nitrate fluxes and biological processes at a frontal zone in the Southern California Current System. Journal of Plankton Research, 34(9): 790-801.
50. Sun, C., Wang, Y., Li, Q.P., Wang, Y., Sun, F., Peng, Y., 2012 Distributional characteristics of transport exopolymer particles in the Pearl River estuary, China. Journal of Geophysical Research, Biogeosciences, 117, G00N17, doi:10.1029/2012jg001951
51. Sun, F., Wang, Y., Wu, M., Wang, Y., Li, Q.P., 2012 Spatial and vertical distributions of bacteria in the Pearl River estuary sediment, African Journal of Biotechnology, 2012, 11(9), 2256-2266.
52. Sun, F., Wang, Y., Wu, M., Wang, Y., Li, Q.P., 2011 Spatial heterogeneity of bacterial biodiversity in the sediments of the Pearl River Estuary, Biologia, 2011, 66(4), 574-584.
53. Song, H., Wang, Y., Sun, C., Wu, M., Peng,Y., Deng,C., Li, Q.P., 2011 Effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure on antioxidant system activities and proline content in Kandelia candel, Oceanol Hydrobiol Studies, 2011, 40(3), 9-18.
54. Li, Q.P.*, Franks, P.J.S., Landry, M.R., 2011 Microzooplankton grazing dynamics: parameterizing grazing models with dilution experiment data in the Southern California Ecosystem. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 438, 59-69.
55. Li, Q.P.*, Franks, P.J.S., Landry, M.R., Goericke, R., Taylor, A.G., 2010 Modeling phytoplankton growth rates and Chlorophyll to Carbon ratios in California coastal and pelagic ecosystems. Journal of Geophysical Research, Biogeosciences, 115, G04003, doi:10.1029/2009jg001111.
56. Li, Q.P.*, Hansell, D.A., Zhang, J.Z., 2008 Underway monitoring of nanomolar nitrate plus nitrite and phosphate in oligotrophic seawater. Limnology and Oceanography, Methods, 6, 319-326.
57. Li, Q.P.*, Hansell, D.A., McGillicuddy, D.J., Bates, N.R., Johnson, R., 2008 Tracer based assessment of the origin and biogeochemical transformation of a cyclonic eddy in the Sargasso  Sea. Journal of Geophysical Research, Ocean, 113, C10006, doi:10.1029/2008jc004840.
58. Li, Q.P.*, Hansell, D.A., 2008 Intercomparison and coupling of magnesium induced coprecipitation and long-path liquid waveguide capillary cell techniques for trace analysis of phosphate in seawater. Analytica Chimica Acta, 611, 68-72.
59. McGillicuddy, D.J., Anderson, L., Bates, N., Bibby T., Buesseler, K., Carlson, C., Davis, C., Ewart, C., Falkowski, P., Goldthwaite, S., Hansell, D., Jenkins, W., Johnson, R., Kosnyrew, V., Ledwell, J., Li, Q.P., Siegel, D., Steinberg, D., 2007 Eddy-wind interactions stimulate extraordinary mid-ocean plankton blooms. Science, 316, 1021-1026.
60. Li, Q.P.*, Hansell, D.A., 2008 Nutrient distributions in baroclinic eddies of the oligotrophic North  Atlantic and inferred impacts on biology. Deep Sea Research, Part II, 55, 1291-1299.
61. Li, Q.P.*, Zhang, J.Z., Millero, F.J., Hansell, D.A., 2005 Continuous colorimetric determination of trace ammonium in seawater with a long-path liquid waveguide capillary cell, Marine Chemistry, 96, 73-85.
62. Li, W., Li, Q., Liao, Q., Chen, Q., 2003 Effect of temperature on fatty acid compositions of four species of marine microalgaes, J Oceanogr in Taiwan Strait （台湾海峡）, 22, 9-14.
63. Liao, Q., Li, Q., Li, W., Chen, Q., Wang, X., 2002 Effect of irradiance on fatty acid compositions of marine microalgaes, Chn J Ocean Technology （海洋技术）, 21, 46-48.
64. Li, W., Liao, Q., Li, Q., Chen, Q., 2002 On the fatty acid compositions of three species of marine microalgaes during growth phases, Chn J Mar Environ Sci （海洋环境科学）, 21, 10-13.

Past Students

Yanjun Wang, Ph.D. 2015, Marine Environmental Science 

Weiwen Zhou, Ph.D. 2020, Marine Environmental Science 

Yiping Shuai, Ph.D. 2021, Marine Chemistry 

Mengzhen Ma, M.E. 2021, Marine Environmental Engineering

Yinchao Chen, Ph.D. 2022, Physical Oceanography

Zijia Liu, Ph.D. 2022, Marine Environmental Science 

Zaiming Ge, Ph.D. 2022, Marine Environmental Science 

Lei Huang, Ph.D. 2023, Marine Environmental Science

Tharushi Samar, M.Sc., 2020-2022 Marine Environmental Science

Yuanfang Zhang, Ph.D. 2024, Marine Environmental Science

Xiaoman Li, M.Sc. 2025, Marine Environmental Science

Abdul-Razak Salifu, Ph.D. 2026, Marine Environmental Science

Current Students

Jingsi Ning, Ph.D. student, 2023-present, Marine Environmental Science

Jianjun Guo, Ph.D. student (co-advised), 2023-present, Physical Oceanography

Yonglin Guo, M.S. student, 2024-present, Marine Environmental Science

Zhuoteng Zhang, Ph.D. student, 2025-present, Marine Environmental Science

Albert Theodore, Ph.D. student (ANSO), 2023-present, Marine Environmental Science

Ali Hamza, Ph.D. student (CSC), 2025-present, Marine Environmental Science

Zhiwei Li, Ph.D. student, 2026-present, Marine Environmental Science