Material recycling in a closed aquatic ecosystem. I: Nitrogen transformation cycle and preferential utilization of ammonium to nitrate by phytoplankton as an optimal control problem (Q1817474)

We focus our attention on the explanation of preferential utilization of ammonium to nitrate by phytoplankton and the bifurcation analysis of the system of an ordinary differential equation which is proposed as a model for the nitrogen transformation cycle. A short description of this model is given. In the second part, we give an alternative explanation of the preference behaviour of phytoplankton. This model consists of an optimal control problem in which the control mechanisms influence the uptake of nitrogen compounds by means of three variables. The model yields a nitrogen uptake policy that compares well with that obtained by \textit{R. W. Eppley} et al. [Limnol. Oceanogr. 14, 194-205 (1969)] and \textit{J. D. H. Strickland} et al. [ibid., 23-34 (1969)]. In the third part, we examine the global behaviour of the model in darkness. We show that under this condition all the living organisms die out. In the fourth section, we give a parameter study of the existence and stability of equilibria. It has been found by numerical analysis that dependent on a total nitrogen concentration, a Hopf bifurcation may occur, i.e. there exists a family of constants for which one eigenvalue transversely crosses the imaginary axis.