Modelling temporal decoupling between biomass and numbers during the transient nitrogen-limited growth of a marine phytoflagellate

A mathematical model of single-nutrient-limited algal growth is presented in which carbon fixation and cell division are different functions of assimilated nutrient. The model successfully describes key features of the growth of Isochrysis galbana in ammonium-limited batch culture under continuous illumination and in light/dark cycles. The incorporation of a nutrient processing time allows the simulation of a time lag between net carbon fixation and cell division, and enables the model to describe changes in the mean carbon content and carbon/nitrogen ratio of the cells. The model can be completely parameterized from standard batch culture experiments.