Gravity-driven membrane (GDM) filtration of algae-polluted surface water

•UF-GDM had higher flux than MF-GDM in treating algae-polluted lake water.•Diatom cells caused more negative impacts on UF-GDM performance.•Green algae had insignificant effects on UF-GDM performance.•Presence of algal cells in feed water led to more reversible fouling of UF-GDM.•Biopolymers were associated with UF-GDM membrane fouling.