A model of phosphorus cycling in the epilimnion of oligotrophic and mesotrophic lakes

A dynamic size-based model describing phosphorus (P) cycling in the epilimnion of lakes is established and validated against published data, and some influences of epilimnetic community structure and function on phosphorus cycling are investigated. We used literature values where possible and calibration otherwise to obtain parameter values. The simulation results show good agreement with empirical and experimental data. The model-derived turnover times of nanoplankton and mesoplankton exhibited a positive relationship with total phosphorus (TP), but the turnover times of larger size-functional groups did not. Nanoplankton and picoplankton became similar in their turnover times with increasing TP. Addition of fish altered the size of particulate P pools and turnover rates, decreased phosphate turnover times and decreased phosphorus sedimentation rates as expected from empirical studies. The model predictions appear to be robust and reasonably successful in reproducing the known behaviour of the P-cycle in the epilimnia of oligotrophic and mesotrophic lakes.