Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-436
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-436
17 Feb 2025
 | 17 Feb 2025

NutGEnIE 1.0: nutrient cycle extensions to the cGEnIE Earth system model to examine the long-term influence of nutrients on oceanic primary production

David A. Stappard, Jamie D. Wilson, Andrew Yool, and Toby Tyrrell

Abstract. Understanding the nuances of the effects of nutrient limitation on oceanic primary production has been the focus of many bioassay experiments by oceanographers. A theme of these investigations is that they identify the currently limiting nutrient at a given location, or in other words they identify the proximate limiting nutrient (PLN). However, the ultimate limiting nutrient (ULN; the nutrient whose supply controls system productivity over extensive timescales) can be different from the PLN. Our motivation is to investigate the identity of the ULN. To facilitate this the carbon-centric Grid Enabled Integrated Earth system model (cGEnIE) nutrient cycles have been extended to create NutGEnIE. NutGEnIE incorporates the nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus, and iron. The impacts of diazotrophs, capable of fixing nitrogen, are represented alongside those of other phytoplankton. NutGEnIE is capable of extended model simulations necessary to investigate the ULN while, at the same time, including iron as a potentially limiting nutrient. NutGEnIE will be described, with particular focus on the biogeochemical cycles of iron, nitrogen and phosphorus. Model results are compared to ocean observational data to assess the degree of realism. Model-data comparisons include physical properties, nutrient concentrations, and process rates (e.g., export and nitrogen fixation). These comparisons support the conclusion that NutGEnIE is appropriate for the investigation of the ULN.

Competing interests: At least one of the (co-)authors is a member of the editorial board of Geoscientific Model Development. The peer-review process was guided by an independent editor, and the authors also have no other competing interests to declare.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this paper. While Copernicus Publications makes every effort to include appropriate place names, the final responsibility lies with the authors. Views expressed in the text are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher.
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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

02 Oct 2025
NutGEnIE 1.0: nutrient cycle extensions to the cGEnIE Earth system model to examine the long-term influence of nutrients on oceanic primary production
David A. Stappard, Jamie D. Wilson, Andrew Yool, and Toby Tyrrell
Geosci. Model Dev., 18, 6805–6834, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-6805-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-6805-2025, 2025
Short summary
David A. Stappard, Jamie D. Wilson, Andrew Yool, and Toby Tyrrell

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • CEC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-436 - No compliance with the policy of the journal', Juan Antonio Añel, 21 Mar 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on CEC1', David Stappard, 24 Mar 2025
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-436', Anonymous Referee #1, 25 Mar 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-436', Christoph Völker, 05 Jun 2025
  • EC1: 'Review by Fanny Monteiro on egusphere-2025-436', Pearse Buchanan, 22 Jun 2025
  • AC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-436 - response to reviews', David Stappard, 06 Aug 2025

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • CEC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-436 - No compliance with the policy of the journal', Juan Antonio Añel, 21 Mar 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on CEC1', David Stappard, 24 Mar 2025
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-436', Anonymous Referee #1, 25 Mar 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-436', Christoph Völker, 05 Jun 2025
  • EC1: 'Review by Fanny Monteiro on egusphere-2025-436', Pearse Buchanan, 22 Jun 2025
  • AC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-436 - response to reviews', David Stappard, 06 Aug 2025

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
AR by David Stappard on behalf of the Authors (06 Aug 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (07 Aug 2025) by Pearse Buchanan
RR by Anonymous Referee #1 (11 Aug 2025)
RR by Christoph Völker (14 Aug 2025)
ED: Publish subject to technical corrections (25 Aug 2025) by Pearse Buchanan
AR by David Stappard on behalf of the Authors (28 Aug 2025)  Author's response   Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

02 Oct 2025
NutGEnIE 1.0: nutrient cycle extensions to the cGEnIE Earth system model to examine the long-term influence of nutrients on oceanic primary production
David A. Stappard, Jamie D. Wilson, Andrew Yool, and Toby Tyrrell
Geosci. Model Dev., 18, 6805–6834, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-6805-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-6805-2025, 2025
Short summary
David A. Stappard, Jamie D. Wilson, Andrew Yool, and Toby Tyrrell
David A. Stappard, Jamie D. Wilson, Andrew Yool, and Toby Tyrrell

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The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.

Short summary
This research explores nutrient limitations in oceanic primary production. While traditional experiments identify the immediate limiting nutrient at specific locations, this study aims to identify the ultimate limiting nutrient (ULN), which governs long-term productivity. A mathematical model incorporating nitrogen, phosphorus, and iron nutrient cycles is used. The model's results are compared with ocean observational data to assess its effectiveness in investigating the ULN.
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