Effect of different temperatures on performance and membrane fouling in high concentration PAC-MBR system treating micro-polluted surface water

► Low temperature (10 °C) delayed the start-up by 9 days and the complete nitrification by 10 days. ► 50 g/L PAC-MBR had high NH3-N removal efficiency (above 90%) at 10 and 20 °C. ► 50 g/L PAC-MBR got better organic matters removal (10% DOC, 5% UV254 and 4% SUVA) at 10 °C. ► Carbohydrate (SMP) was the main matter causing membrane fouling at low temperature (10 °C). ► There was no obvious chemical irreversible fouling, even at 10 °C.