Diverse biophysical and molecular mechanisms drive phytoplankton sinking in response to starvation.

ABSTRACT: Marine phytoplankton face eco-evolutionary pressure to regulate their vertical position in the ocean to access light, which is abundant towards the surface, and nutrients, which are found deeper down the water column. All phytoplankton experience gravitational sinking, which can contribute to their vertical migration. However, the biophysical and molecular mechanisms that impact gravitational sinking have not been systematically characterized across taxa and environmental conditions. Here, we combine simulations with measurements of cell mass, volume, and composition to investigate the effects of nutrient availability on gravitational sinking in nine representative unicellular pico- and nanoplankton species. We find that gravitational sinking becomes faster in most species when starved, bu

SUBMITTER: Wu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12668614 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature