Chain model of phytoplankton P, N and light colimitation.

Pahlow, Markus and Oschlies, Andreas (2009) Chain model of phytoplankton P, N and light colimitation. Open Access Marine Ecology Progress Series, 376 . DOI 10.3354/meps07748.

[thumbnail of 565_Pahlow_2009_ChainModelOfPhytoplanktonP_Artzeit_pubid11780.pdf]
Preview
Text
565_Pahlow_2009_ChainModelOfPhytoplanktonP_Artzeit_pubid11780.pdf - Reprinted Version

Download (454kB)

Supplementary data:

Abstract

Models of multiple potentially limiting nutrients currently employ either multiplicative or threshold formulations, neither of which has a sound mechanistic explanation. Despite experimental evidence that lack of P severely constrains N assimilation, this mechanism has not been considered for constructing models of multi-nutrient limitation. We construct a phytoplankton optimal growth model linking C, chlorophyll (Chl), N, and P through a limitation chain in which P limits N assimilation, N limits photosynthesis and photosynthesis limits growth. The resulting formulation possesses characteristics of both multiplicative and threshold approaches and provides a mechanistic foundation for modelling multi-nutrient and light limitation of phytoplankton growth. The model compares well with experimental observations for a variety of unicellular phytoplankton species. It is suggested that the widely held view that N and P limitation act independently of each other is based on an invalid interpretation of experimental observations and that the transition from N to P limitation occurs over a wide range of colimitation rather than a sharply-defined transition point. If the species considered in this study are representative for marine phytoplankton, our model results indicate that most phytoplankton are colimited by N and P when inorganic N and P are simultaneously exhausted in the surface ocean. The model suggests that the close match between marine inorganic (Redfield) and phytoplankton N:P ratios results from optimal nutrient utilisation but does not indicate optimality of Redfield N:P.

Document Type: Article
Keywords: N-, P-, light colimitation, Redfield C:N:P, chlorophyll dynamics
Research affiliation: OceanRep > GEOMAR > FB2 Marine Biogeochemistry > FB2-BM Biogeochemical Modeling
OceanRep > The Future Ocean - Cluster of Excellence
Refereed: Yes
Open Access Journal?: No
Publisher: Inter Research
Projects: Future Ocean
Date Deposited: 12 Mar 2009 14:37
Last Modified: 01 Jun 2018 10:51
URI: https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/8390

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item