Bulking sludge reduced chlorine reactivity, but increased bromine-containing THMs.
Bulking sludge increased EfOM and the content of aromatic moieties DOM.
Bulking sludge led to a higher proportion of high molecular weight EfOM.
Bulking sludge led to a relatively high hydrophobicity.
Bulking sludge increased simple aromatic protein, fulvic and humic acid-like.