Structural and functional recovery of microbial biofilms after a decrease in copper exposure: Influence of the presence of pristine communities

► We tested the influence of microbial immigration in biofilm recovery after a Cu exposure. ► Recovery dynamics differed between phototrophic and heterotrophic communities. ► Microbial immigration enhanced the recovery of phototrophic communities. ► Heterotrophic community recovery slightly depended on microbial immigration processes.