Chien, Chia-Te , Pahlow, Markus, Schartau, Markus , Li, Na and Oschlies, Andreas (2023) Effects of phytoplankton physiology on global ocean biogeochemistry and climate. Science Advances, 9 (30). Art.Nr. eadg1725.. DOI 10.1126/sciadv.adg1725.

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Abstract

The similarity of the average ratios of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in marine dissolved inorganic and particulate organic matter, dN:P and pN:P, respectively, indicates tight links between those pools in the world ocean. Here, we analyze this linkage by varying phytoplankton N and P subsistence quotas in an optimality-based ecosystem model coupled to an Earth system model. The analysis of our ensemble of simulations discloses various feedbacks between changes in the N and P quotas, N2 fixation, and denitrification that weaken the often-hypothesized tight coupling between dN:P and pN:P. We demonstrate the importance of particulate N:C and P:C ratios for regulating dN:P on the global scale, with marine oxygen level being an important control. Our analysis provides further insight into the potential interdependence of phytoplankton physiology and global climate conditions.

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