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Coexistence of photosynthetic microorganisms with growth rates depending on the spectral quality of light

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Abstract

A new equation for the growth rate of photosynthetic microorganisms is derived. It is based on a series formulation of the mechanism of photosynthesis and it has the form of a functional of the spectral qualities of light. Using this functional to model their growth it is shown that populations of photosynthetic microorganisms can coexist in the same homogeneous environment even though they compete for the available light.

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Stephanopoulos, G., Fredrickson, A.G. Coexistence of photosynthetic microorganisms with growth rates depending on the spectral quality of light. Bltn Mathcal Biology 41, 525–542 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02458328

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02458328

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