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© 2019 This study aims to systematically investigate the short-term and long-term effects of magnetic microparticles (MPs) and nanoparticles (NPs) on critical flux in membrane bioreactors (MBRs). Comparison among six MBRs was carried out with different activated sludge samples. Results showed that the short-term adsorption and flocculation contributed only minimally, however, the long-term magnetic induced bio-effect improved the critical flux by conditioning sludge properties. Additional molecular weight distribution of soluble microbial product (SMP) indicated that long-term magnetic induced bio-effect declined the content of macromolecules (>500 kDa and 300–500 kDa), but promoted the content of small molecules (

© 2017 Elsevier Ltd This study aims to investigate the usefulness of magnetic powder addition in membrane bioreactors (MBRs) for membrane fouling mitigation and its effect on microbial community and composition. The comparison between the two MBRs (one with magnetic powder (MAS-MBR) and one without magnetic powder (C-MBR)) was carried out to treat synthetic municipal wastewater. Results showed that bioflocculation and adsorption of magnetic powder contributed only minimally to membrane fouling mitigation while the slower fouling rate might be ascribed to magnetic bio-effect. The macromolecules (larger than 500 kDa and 300–500 kDa) of soluble microbial product from the MAS-MBR were reduced by 24.06% and 11.11%, respectively. High-throughput sequencing demonstrated the most abundant genera of biofilm sludge indicated lower abundance in bulk sludge from the MAS-MBR compared to the C-MBR. It is possible that less membrane fouling is connected to reductions in large molecules and pioneer bacteria from bulk sludge.