Parameterising a Microplankton Model

Parameterising a Microplankton Model

This paper describes and assesses the parameterisation of MP, the microplankton compartment of the carbon­nitrogen microplankton­detritus model. The compartment is 'the microbial loop in a box' and includes pelagic bacteria and protozoa as well as phytoplankton. The paper presents equations and parameter values for the autotroph and microheterotroph components of the microplankton. Equations and parameter values for the microplankton as a whole are derived on the assumption of a constant 'heterotroph fraction'. The autotroph equations of MP allow variation in the ratios of nutrient elements to carbon, and are largely those of the 'cell­quota, threshold­limitation' algal growth model, which can deal with potential control of growth by several nutrients and light. The heterotroph equations, in contrast, assume a constant elemental composition. Nitrogen is used as the limiting nutrient in most of the model description, and is special in that MP links chlorophyll concentration to the autotroph nitrogen quota.