As sea surface temperatures rise over the next century, phytoplankton in polar regions will adapt to be less rich in proteins, heavier in carbohydrates, and lower in nutrients overall, according to a new MIT study.

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MIT researchers have developed a new model predicting how phytoplankton composition will change by 2100 due to rising sea surface temperatures. In polar regions, phytoplankton will shift from protein-rich to carbohydrate- and lipid-heavy compositions, with total protein levels declining up to 30% as melting sea ice reduces the need for light-harvesting proteins. In subtropical regions, phytoplankton populations will shrink by 50% while becoming slightly more protein-rich. Overall, the global marine food web's nutritional base will shift toward a lower-nutrient, carb-heavy profile — a trend already visible in Arctic and Antarctic field samples collected over recent decades.

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