Nitrogen and phosphorus differentially control marine biomass production and stoichiometry

Emily A. Seelen (), Samantha J. Gleich, William Kumler, Hanna S. Anderson, Xiaopeng Bian, Karin M. Björkman, David A. Caron, Sonya T. Dyhrman, Sara Ferrón, Zoe V. Finkel, Sheean T. Haley, Ying-Yu Hu, Anitra E. Ingalls, Andrew J. Irwin, David M. Karl, Kyeong Pil Kong, Daniel P. Lowenstein, Andrés E. Salazar Estrada, Emily Townsend, John C. Tracey, Kendra Turk-Kubo, Benjamin A. S. Mooy and Seth G. John
Additional contact information
Emily A. Seelen: Department of Earth Science
Samantha J. Gleich: Department of Biological Sciences
William Kumler: School of Oceanography
Hanna S. Anderson: Columbia University
Xiaopeng Bian: Department of Earth Science
Karin M. Björkman: Department of Oceanography
David A. Caron: Department of Biological Sciences
Sonya T. Dyhrman: Columbia University
Sara Ferrón: Department of Oceanography
Zoe V. Finkel: Department of Oceanography
Sheean T. Haley: Columbia University
Ying-Yu Hu: Department of Oceanography
Anitra E. Ingalls: School of Oceanography
Andrew J. Irwin: Department of Mathematics & Statistics
David M. Karl: Department of Oceanography
Kyeong Pil Kong: Department of Earth Science
Daniel P. Lowenstein: Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry
Andrés E. Salazar Estrada: Department of Oceanography
Emily Townsend: Department of Earth Science
John C. Tracey: Columbia University
Kendra Turk-Kubo: Ocean Sciences Department
Benjamin A. S. Mooy: Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry
Seth G. John: Department of Earth Science

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Abstract Globally averaged, surface particulate nitrogen and phosphorus approximate the 16:1, N:P “Redfield ratio.” In observations, N:P ratios vary latitudinally at ranges attributable to both phytoplankton community composition and physiological acclimation, but their relative contributions to the N:P ratio remain unclear. Here, results from a 29-day mesocosm experiment highlight how inorganic nitrogen and/or phosphorus nutrient supply can affect the bulk particle stoichiometry of a North Pacific Subtropical Gyre plankton community. Nitrogen additions, with and without phosphorus, increase total productivity and diatom abundance, whereas treatments with just phosphorus additions remain similar to the no-nutrient addition control. Continual nitrogen supply without phosphorus results in higher particulate N:P ratios than expected based on the phytoplankton community present. Several P-stress markers identified in those treatments highlight the importance of acclimation in extending particulate N:P ratios beyond the Redfield ratio. Phytoplankton’s ability to maintain growth under P-stress conditions has implications for global carbon cycling.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-61061-0

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