Using a cell flux model to investigate phytoplankton growth and macromolecular allocation under iron limitation

Authors

• Margaret Bernish, University of Rhode Island Narragansett Bay Campus
• Meng Gao, University of Rhode Island Narragansett Bay Campus
• Jongsun Kim, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
• Benoit Pasquier, UNSW Sydney

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-23-2026

Abstract

Global biogeochemical models are powerful tools used to interpret observations and empirical data, create hypotheses, and make predictions. Many of these models, however, represent marine microbes as static stoichiometric reactions that convert nutrients into biomass. To better constrain the biological processes that control nutrient cycling in the global ocean, we extend the Cell Flux Model of Phytoplankton to explore the impact of dissolved iron concentration on the allocation of macromolecules and elemental ratios within phytoplankton cells. This model is supported by data obtained from a range of incubation experiments conducted with phytoplankton of varying species and size categories. Model output is applied globally to highlights the effects of iron and light availability and physiological adaptation on the distribution of open ocean and neritic phytoplankton taxa. This research aims to elucidate the role of phytoplankton physiology within biogeochemical cycles, allowing for better characterization of marine microbial distribution and elemental makeup for interpretive and predictive models.

Comments

© 2026 Bernish, Gao, Kim, Pasquier and Inomura.

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

Recommended Citation

Bernish, Margaret, Meng Gao, Jongsun Kim, Benoit Pasquier, and Keisuke Inomura. "Using a cell flux model to investigate phytoplankton growth and macromolecular allocation under iron limitation." Frontiers in Earth Science 14 (2026): 1839921. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2026.1839921

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Publication Title

Frontiers in Earth Science

DOI

10.3389/feart.2026.1839921