Nitrate–nitrite dynamics and phytoplankton growth: formulation and experimental evaluation of a dynamic model

Malerba, Martino E., Connolly, Sean R., and Heimann, Kirsten (2012) Nitrate–nitrite dynamics and phytoplankton growth: formulation and experimental evaluation of a dynamic model. Limnology and Oceanography, 57 (5). pp. 1555-1571.

[img] PDF (Published Version) - Published Version
Restricted to Repository staff only

View at Publisher Website: http://dx.doi.org/10.4319/lo.2012.57.5.1...
 
18
2


Abstract

A multi-nutrient quota model was modified to describe the coupled dynamics of nitrate and nitrite utilization for four phytoplankton species, Picochlorum atomus (Butcher) (Chlorophyta), Nannochloropsis oculata (Droop) (Ochrophyta), Isochrysis sp. (Haptophyta), and Pyrocystis lunula (Schütt) (Dinophyta). Although rarely considered in nutrient-limited phytoplankton models, nitrite can be an important nitrogen source, as it can be either released due to incomplete reduction of nitrate or taken up to supplement low nitrogen availability. The model accurately characterizes the dynamics of nitrite uptake and excretion, nitrate uptake and assimilation efficiency, and population growth for the study species in batch culture, despite the fact that the species display a range of qualitatively different nutrient utilization patterns. The good performance of the model suggests that per-capita secretion and re-assimilation of nitrite, together with changes to the per-capita internal nitrogen supply, can be inferred from daily observations of medium nitrate and nitrite utilization and population growth. The model also reproduces qualitative characteristics of nitrite dynamics that have been observed in previous empirical studies, such as a rise in per-capita nitrite secretion when culture medium nitrate concentrations and intracellular nitrogen levels are high. Our model therefore provides a new framework for evaluating the potential broader trophic consequences of the effects of nitrite uptake and release on the dynamics of phytoplankton populations.

Item ID: 23812
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1939-5590
Date Deposited: 31 Oct 2012 05:26
FoR Codes: 06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0602 Ecology > 060205 Marine and Estuarine Ecology (incl Marine Ichthyology) @ 50%
08 INFORMATION AND COMPUTING SCIENCES > 0801 Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing > 080110 Simulation and Modelling @ 50%
SEO Codes: 91 ECONOMIC FRAMEWORK > 9102 Microeconomics > 910210 Production @ 100%
Downloads: Total: 2
More Statistics

Actions (Repository Staff Only)

Item Control Page Item Control Page