Superparamagnetic microspheres with an Fe3O4@SiO2 core and a perpendiculary aligned mesoporous SiO2 shell were synthesized through a surfactant-templating solgel approach. The microspheres possess high magnetization (53.3 emu/g), high surface area (365 m(2)/g), large pore volume (0.29 cm(3)/g), and uniform mesopore (2.3 nm). By using the unique core-shell microspheres with accessible large pores and excellent magnetic property, a fast removal of microcystins with high efficiency (> 95%) can be achieved.