To bridge the missing links between variable marine elemental stoichiometry, phytoplankton physiology and carbon cycling, we embed four environmentally controlled stoichiometric models into a five-box ocean model. As predicted each model varied in its influence on the biological pump. Surprisingly, we found that variation can lead to nonlinear controls on atmospheric CO₂ and carbon export, suggesting the need for further studies of ocean C : P and the impact on ocean carbon cycling.