Interactions between SDBS and Hydrilla verticillata − epiphytic biofilm in wetland receiving STPs effluents: Nutrients removal and epiphytic microbial assembly

[Display omitted] •SDBS can be efficiently removed in wetlands with H. verticillata.•High concentrations of SDBS caused physiological damage to H. verticillata.•SDBS changed epiphytic biofilms microbial community diversity and stability.•SDBS, T and TN were key factors influencing microbial community. The fate and effects of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) in sewage treatment plants effluents on nutrients and submerged macrophytes are far from clear in wetlands. This study conducted a 24-day experiment to investigate changes in nutrients and epiphytic biofilm of Hydrilla verticillata in wetlands receiving effluents with 0.5, 2 and 5 mg L−1 SDBS. The decrease of SDBS in overlying water followed pseudo-first-order kinetic equation, with over 80 % of SDBS removal achieved. 2 and 5 mg L−1 SDBS decreased nutrient removal efficiency, induced oxidative stress response and damaged cells of H. verticillata. SDBS altered bacterial and eukaryotic community diversity. 0.5 mg L−1 SDBS can promote carbon fixation and methane oxidation of microorganisms. Network analysis revealed that 0.5 mg L−1 SDBS decreased the stability of epiphytic ecosystems. Mantel tests indicated significant influences of SDBS, temperature, and total nitrogen on epiphytic microbial communities.