Bioconvection in Microalgae: Review of Mathematical Models

Bioconvection can be defined as an aggregation pattern-generating phenomenon characterized by the collective behavior of swimming microorganisms in response to external influences and self-induced fluid flow, and it has attracted significant interest in the study of microalgae. This review aims to p...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Laura Barsanti, Lorenzo Birindelli, Angelo Di Garbo, Paolo Gualtieri
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/5/2708
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Summary:Bioconvection can be defined as an aggregation pattern-generating phenomenon characterized by the collective behavior of swimming microorganisms in response to external influences and self-induced fluid flow, and it has attracted significant interest in the study of microalgae. This review aims to provide a comprehensive examination of this phenomenon in a concentrated population of suspended microalgae definable as nonlinear dynamical systems (i.e., generators of spatial and temporal patterns), describing and clarifying the underlying mechanisms, ecological implications, and possible biotechnological applications in different fields for the improvement of bioreactor design for biomass cultivation, wastewater treatment, or bioremediation. The most influential models used to capture the complexity of bioconvection are perused in order to explore the intricate interplay of internal and external influences (biological, physical, and environmental) governing pattern formation dynamics alongside recent advancements in modeling techniques and experimental approaches.
ISSN:2076-3417