The authors studied the biomarkers (alkanes) of eight iron ore samples from Nianpanshan and Dsbaodui of Pangjiabao and Longguan, Xuanhua, Hebei. These samples have higher nC15-nC20 contents, with main peaks at nC16, nC 17 and nC18, and contain abundant pristane and phytane. These results indicate that iron stromatolite and iron oncolites in orebodies are sedimentary structures of algal origin. Sedimentary iron accumulation mainly results from activity of blue algae. This study provides new valuable evidence for the origin of Xuanlong-type iron deposits.