Development and stability of gyrotactic plumes in bioconvection

Ghorai, S. and Hill, N.A. (1999) Development and stability of gyrotactic plumes in bioconvection. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 400, pp. 1-31. (doi: 10.1017/S0022112099006473)

Abstract

Using the continuum model of Pedley, Hill and Kessler (1988) for bioconvection in a suspension of swimming, gyrotactic micro-organisms, we investigate the existence and stability of a two-dimensional plume in tall, narrow chambers with stress-free sidewalls. The system is governed by the Navier–Stokes equations for an incompressible fluid coupled with a micro-organism conservation equation. These equations are solved numerically using a conservative finite-difference scheme. In sufficiently deep chambers, the plume is always unstable to both varicose and meandering modes. A linear stability analysis for an infinitely long plume predicts the growth rates of these instabilities, explains the mechanisms, and is in good agreement with the numerical results.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Hill, Professor Nicholas
• Authors: Ghorai, S., and Hill, N.A.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Mathematics and Statistics > Mathematics
• Journal Name: Journal of Fluid Mechanics
• Journal Abbr.: J. Fluid Mech.
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• ISSN: 0022-1120
• ISSN (Online): 1469-7645
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 1999 Cambridge University Press
• First Published: First published in Journal of Fluid Mechanics 400:1-31
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher