*Article* **Plant-Microbe Synergism in Floating Treatment Wetlands for the Enhanced Removal of Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate from Water**

**Momina Yasin 1,2, Muhammad Tauseef 3, Zaniab Zafar 1,2, Moazur Rahman 4, Ejazul Islam 1,2, Samina Iqbal 1,2 and Muhammad Afzal 1,2,\***


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**Abstract:** Excessive use of detergents in wide industrial processes results in unwanted surfactant pollution. Among them, sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) has well-known history to be used in pharmaceutical and industrial applications. However, if discharged without treatment, it can cause toxic effects on living organisms especially to the aquatic life. Floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) could be a cost-effective and eco-friendly options for the treatment of wastewater containing SDS. In this study, FTWs mesocosms were established in the presence of hydrocarbons-degrading bacteria. Two plant species (*Brachiaria mutica* and *Leptochloa fusca*) were vegetated and a consortium of bacteria (*Acinetobacter* sp. strain BRSI56, *Acinetobacter junii* strain TYRH47, and *Acinetobacter* sp. strain CYRH21) was applied to enhance degradation in a short-time. Results illustrated that FTWs vegetated with both plants successfully removed SDS from water, however, bacterial augmentation further enhanced the removal efficiency. Maximum reduction in SDS concentration (97.5%), chemical oxygen demand (92.0%), biological oxygen demand (94.2%), and turbidity (99.4%) was observed in the water having FTWs vegetated with *B. mutica* and inoculated with the bacteria. The inoculated bacteria showed more survival in the roots and shoots of B. mutica as compared to *L. fusca*. This study concludes that FTWs have the potential for the removal of SDS from contaminated water and their remediation efficiency can be enhanced by bacterial augmentation.

**Keywords:** hydroponic root mats; plant-bacteria partnership; detergents; phytoremediation; wastewater
