Chitosan Coupled with Electroflotation for Phosphorus Recovery from Eutrophic Taihu Lake Water

• • Optimal chitosan dosage of 15 mg·L−1 achieved the highest total phosphorus (TP) removal, with PP constituting 83.57% of the enriched P, demonstrating selective capture of particulate algal P. • • Increasing voltage from 0 to 15 V (current density up to 0.98 mA·cm−2) enhanced P enrichment efficiency by strengthening charge neutralization and electroflotation, as evidenced by Zeta potential changes. • • Under open conditions, PP transformation to dissolved P (TDP and SRP) was significantly promoted, whereas closed conditions suppressed this release, highlighting the role of oxygen and microbial activity in P mobilization. • • The CEF process avoids metal ion residues inherent to traditional coagulants (e.g., PAC), ensuring high environmental safety and facilitating downstream P resource utilization, though its P enrichment efficiency remains lower than that of PAC.