The behaviors of Microcystis aeruginosa cells and extracellular microcystins during chitosan flocculation and flocs storage processes.

Highlights: [•] M. aeruginosa cells could be intactly removed by chitosan flocculation using RSM. [•] Chitosan flocculation performs adsorption ability of extracellular microcystins. [•] Chitosan firstly showed protect shield of cells during 2d storage. [•] As chitosan polymers degraded after 4d, the adsorbed MCs released again. [•] The polymer degradation also accelerated the cell lysis rate after 4d. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]