First, apologies for cross-posting if received twice. I'm wondering if anyone knows first hand or is familiar with literature regarding a relationship between chlorophyll concentration (which is typically measured) and chloroplast (representing the larger photosynthetic complex) concentration? I'm trying to do some nutrient mass balances for phytoplankton. From chlorophyll concentrations, proportion of the total planktonic C and N represented within this biomolecule can be estimated (making some assumptions as in Sterner and Elser 2002). However, I'm more interested in the P component of the photosynthetic complex, and while chloroplasts are not super rich in P (only about 0.32%), I'd still like to get an estimate.
So, if there is a something of a regression or other back-of-the-envelope relationship that can be used to extrapolate chloroplast concentration based on measured chlorophyll a concentrations, I'd really appreciate learning it. Thanks much! -Brent Bellinger, Ph.D.
