We investigate the decay for |x|→∞ of weak Sobolev-type solutions of semilinear nonlocal equations Pu = F(u). We consider the case when P = p(D) is an elliptic Fourier multiplier with polyhomogeneous symbol p(ξ), and we derive algebraic decay estimates in terms of weighted Sobolev norms. Our basic example is the celebrated Benjamin–Ono equation
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for internal solitary waves of deep stratified fluids. Their profile presents algebraic decay, in strong contrast with the exponential decay for KdV shallow water waves.