Nutrient ratios in marine particulate organic matter are predicted by the population structure of well-adapted phytoplankton
Sharoni, S.; Halevy, I. (2020). Nutrient ratios in marine particulate organic matter are predicted by the population structure of well-adapted phytoplankton. Science Advances 6(29): eaaw9371. https://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aaw9371
In: Science Advances. AAAS: New York. ISSN 2375-2548; e-ISSN 2375-2548, more
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| Abstract |
A common assumption of a constant nitrogen-to-phosphorus ratio (N:P) of 16:1 in marine particulate organic matter (POM) appears to be invalidated by observations of major spatial variations in N:P. Two main explanations have been proposed. The first attributes the N:P variability to changes in the community composition of well-adapted phytoplankton. The second proposes that variability arises from physiological acclimation involving intracellular adjustments of nutrient allocation under nutrient deficiency. Using a model of phytoplankton physiology, observational datasets, and a review of laboratory culture results, we assess the mechanistic basis of N:P variability. We find that the taxonomic composition of well-adapted phytoplankton best explains observed variations in POM N:P. Furthermore, we show that acclimation to nutrient deficiency may be safely neglected when considering the effects of ecology on POM N:P. These findings provide insight into the controls on global variability in POM composition and average phytoplankton physiological performance in the oceans. |
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