Influence of zeta potential on the flocculation of cyanobacteria cells using chitosan modified soil

Using chitosan modified soil to flocculate and sediment algal cells has been considered as a promising strategy to combat cyanobacteria blooms in natural waters. However, the flocculation efficiency often varies with algal cells with different zeta potential (ZP) attributed to different growth phases or water conditions. This article investigated the relationship between ZP of Microcystis aeruginosa and its influence to the flocculation efficiency using chitosan modified soil. Results suggested that the optimal removal efficiency was obtained when the ZP was between − 20.7 and − 6.7 mV with a removal efficiency of more than 80% in 30 min and large floc size of > 350 μm. When the algal cells were more negatively charged than − 20.7 mV, the effect of chitosan modified soil was depressed (< 60%) due to the insufficient charge density of chitosan to neutralize and destabilize the algal suspension. When the algal cells were less negative than − 6.7 mV or even positively charged, a small floc size (< 120 μm) was formed, which may be difficult to sink under natural water conditions. Therefore, manipulation of ZP provided a viable tool to improve the flocculation efficiency of chitosan modified soil and an important guidance for practical engineering of cyanobacteria bloom control.