Modelling nitrogen incorporation by primary producers of a Mediterranean coastal area

The aim of this study was to simulate the uptake flow of nitrogen (gN m-2) of P. oceanica meadow for 4 primary producers of the bay of Calvi (Corsica, France) (phytoplankton, macro-algae, the Posidonia oceanica leaves and their epiphytes). The model developed for this purpose simulates the evolution of nitrogen incorporation. The effect of the light intensity, and the water column temperature and concentration in internal and external nitrogen on nitrogen incorporation by the 4 primary producers is modeled. Thus, the incorporation rate of both NO3-and NH4+by phytoplankton was more important than for benthic producers. Macro-algae incorporations had intermediate incorporation rates between the ones of, the phytoplankton and P. oceanic leaves and their epiphytes. The incorporation of NH4+ by the phytoplankton is higher than the incorporation of NO3-. The model appears well adapted to establish the main environmental factors that determine the incorporation of inorganic nitrogen by the various primary producers. It is also able to represent the relative importance of nitrogen incorporation by the various producers.