Dynamics of phosphate limited algal growth: Simulation of phosphate shocks

A simulation model is suggested which describes transient growth of the green alga Chlorella pyrenoidosa after exposure of phosphate limited chemostatic cultures to phosphate shocks. The specific growth rate is related to an internal concentration of functional phosphorus. The model includes a metabolic activity functional as suggested by Powell (1969), and it is assumed that phosphate taken up by the cells passes through an intermediate pool of not functional phosphorus which is thought to inhibit growth. Comparisons are made with a simpler model described previously.