Effect of forward scattering and rigid top surface on the onset of phototactic bioconvection in an algal suspension illuminated by both oblique collimated and diffuse irradiation

Abstract

The effect of the rigid top surface on the onset of phototactic bioconvection is investigated using linear stability theory for a suspension of forward-scattering phototactic algae in this article. The suspension is uniformly illuminated by both diffuse and oblique collimated flux. The nature of disturbance of bio-convective instability transits from a stationary (overstable) to an overstable (stationary) state as the forward scattering coefficient varies under fixed parameters. In presence of rigid top surface, the suspension becomes more stable as the forward scattering coefficient increases.