A three-dimensional mixotrophic model of Karlodinium veneficum blooms for a eutrophic estuary

•A 3D mixotrophic model of Karlodinium veneficum captured the observed bloom.•K. veneficum switches to mixotrophic feeding in P-deficient waters.•Ingestion rate increases with prey density but is spatially variable.•Digestion rate increases with food vacuole content and temperature.•Autotrophic growth dominates in spring, heterotrophic growth dominates in summer.