Calculating 'run and tumble' behavior of bacteria in groundwater

Bacteria in groundwater move in surprising ways. They can passively ride flowing groundwater, or they can actively move on their own in what scientists call "run and tumble" behavior. However, most numerical models of bacterial transport in groundwater stumble when it comes to calculating how bacteria move. As a first step in improving these models, scientists studied the movements of two kinds of microorganisms. They then factored those characteristics into a simple micro-scale transport model that more accurately predicted changes underground.

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