A Theoretical Prediction of Laminar Falling Plumes in Bioconvection of Oxytactic Bacteria in Porous Media Available to Purchase

The objective of this paper is to investigate theoretically laminar falling bioconvection plumes in a deep chamber filled with a fluid saturated porous medium. A suspension of motile oxytactic bacteria, such as Bacillus subtilis, which swim up the oxygen gradient, is considered. In a deep chamber, because of the limited diffusivity of oxygen, oxygen concentration is high only in a thin cell-rich upper boundary layer. Since bacteria are heavier than water, the cell-rich upper boundary layer becomes unstable and bioconvection plumes develop. The bioconvection plume carries oxygen and cells from this cell-rich upper boundary layer to the lower region of the chamber.