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A note on small organism diffusion around an attractive center: A mathematical model

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Abstract

A mathematical model of small organism diffusion around an attractive center is presented. The diffusion equation includes a forcing term which creates a virtual flow of organisms toward the center. Owing to the attractive force, the organisms tend to collect in “swarms” or “patches” notwithstanding the diffusive motion of surrounding water.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Johns Hopkins University, 113 Macaulay Hall, 21218, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

    Akira Okubo

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  1. Akira Okubo
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Contribution No. 176 of the Chesapeake Bay Institute, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University. This work was supported by the Office of Naval Research Contract N00014-67-A-0163-0006, Research Project NR083-016, by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission under Contract AT (30-1) 3109, Document COO-3109-2, and by National Science Foundation Grant, GA-16603.

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Okubo, A. A note on small organism diffusion around an attractive center: A mathematical model. Journal of the Oceanographical Society of Japan 28, 1–7 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02109750

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