Oscillatoria

400x (m)

Identification

Filamentous cyanobacterium
Has thick filaments with no sheath
Discoid cells that are blue green in color with fine granulation
Motile, moves by oscillation
Size varies based on species
Forms gray benthic mats that float to surface

Why Do I Have It?

High nutrient and sediment buildup
Lack of mixing
Primarily seen in lagoons

Associated Lagoon (Pond) Conditions

Oscillatoria may cause high effluent TSS, possible water discoloration, and odor issues. The odor issues may stem from the compounds Oscillatoria can create, such as geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol. Sometimes Oscillatoria can also produce dangerous toxins, such as microcystins.

If Oscillatoria growth is suspected taking precautions such as wearing a mask and gloves to avoid skin contact is recommended.

Treatment

There are many ways to treat Oscillatoria. We recommend adding an algaecide, like Argos. Argos will damage the cells, causing them to leak and die. AquaSticker can speed the treatment process by disrupting the microbiota of this algae which weakens it, allowing the Argos easier access to the cells. If possible mechanical removal of surface mats can be achieved via skimming. If mats are visible in the bottom of the lagoon, we recommend using OxyPaks XL to float them to the surface before treatment.

Because wastewater issues and the cause behind algae can be complex, we recommend our Filament ID and Microanalysis. This not only confirms algae and filament ID, but looks at biological indicators, plant design, and incoming substrates to decode your unique process.

Under the Microscope and in Your Plant

Oscillatoria is a filamentous cyanobacterium that can form short planktonic filaments or longer filaments arranged in benthic mats. These mats can float to the surface when gas bubbles are trapped. Oscillatoria is rare to see in conventional wastewater systems. Oscillatoria filaments are relatively thick (about 8 µm – 60+ µm wide), without a sheath. The cells are discoid, blue-green in color with fine granulation, and are not constricted at the cross walls. Some species have filaments that taper slightly toward the ends. The filaments are motile and move in an oscillating back and forth motion to help the filaments orient themselves towards a light source. In its planktonic form, Oscillatoria may form thin surface scums if the water is still. The short planktonic filaments may cause high effluent TSS, possible water discoloration, and odor issues. Some species of Oscillatoria can also produce toxins, such as microcystins, and compounds, such as geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol, that cause odor issues to occur. Oscillatoria can macroscopically appear as small, short, black hair-like fragments floating on the surface of the water. It can also appear as long filaments in mats that float to the surface.

Interesting Facts

A few planktonic species of Oscillatoria have pseudo vacuoles that refract light and may appear blood-red when they form blooms