A dynamic model of photoadaptation in phytoplankton

Abstract

We present a new dynamic model that uses a small number of prescribed parameters to predict the chlorophyll a:carbon ratio and growth rate of phytoplankton in both constant and varying irradiance. The model provides a self‐contained description of energy and mass fluxes and regulation of partitioning of photosynthate during phytoplankton adaptation to irradiance. The kinetics and steady‐state outcomes of photoadaptation are described in terms of changes in the rates of synthesis of three intracellular carbon pools. These pools account for the distribution of cell material between light‐harvesting components, the biosynthetic apparatus, and energy storage compounds. Regulation of the flow of recent photosynthate to these pools is controlled by the ratio of realized to potential photosynthetic electron flow at a given instant. The responses of growth rate and Chl a:C to static and dynamic irradiance regimes can be adequately described by specifying four parameters: the initial slope of the photosynthesis‐irradiance curve, the maximum growth rate, the maximum Chl a:C observed under light limitation, and the maintenance metabolic rate. The model predictions compared favorably with observations of the diatoms Thalassiosira pseudonana and Phaedactylum tricornutum.