Methods are disclosed including increasing the rate by which a dissimilar material separates in an aqueous-based mixture, comprising passing a first aqueous-based mixture through a magnetically conductive conduit having magnetic energy directed along the longitudinal axis of the magnetically conductive conduit and extending through at least a portion of the first aqueous-based mixture thereby providing a conditioned aqueous-based medium; and separating the conditioned aqueous-based medium into at least two distinct phases in at least one separation apparatus downstream of the magnetically conductive conduit, wherein the at least one dissimilar material separates from water in the conditioned aqueous-based medium at an increased rate as compared to a rate of separation of the at least one dissimilar material from water in the first aqueous-based mixture.