New approaches to measuring the composition and nutrient status of single phytoplankton cells ID: DP0556559.

Phytoplankton contribute over 45% of the planet's annual net primary production and form the basis of most aquatic food chains. Conversely, some phytoplankton are toxic and cause problems in marine and fresh waters. Despite the ecological significance of phytoplankton, techniques for determining their physiological (especially nutrient) state are poorly defined. This project will develop new approaches for determining the nutrient status of individual cells/species within phytoplankton populations, which will lead to better understanding of nutrient use and nutrient cycling in aquatic environments and enable managers to draw up appropriate nutrient loading budgets for catchments and respond to possible perturbations on an informed basis.