Effects of both diffuse and collimated incident radiation on phototactic bioconvection

Abstract

The linear stability of a finite-depth algal suspension is investigated numerically with particular emphasis on the effects of angle of incidence. The suspension of phototactic algae is uniformly illuminated by both diffuse and oblique collimated irradiation. The bioconvective solutions show a transition of the most unstable mode of disturbance from the stationary (overstable) to overstable (stationary) state at the variation in angle of incidence for fixed parameter ranges. Furthermore, a transition from mode 2 to mode 1 instability is noticed for some parameter values as the angle of incidence varies. Oscillatory modes of disturbance are also predicted at the increment in angle of incidence (or cell swimming speed)