Fluvial biofilm was exposed to ZnO NPs and the dissolved Zn2 +.
Chl-a and ФM decreased at high doses (100 and 7.85 mg/L of ZnO NPs and Zn2 +).
A shift in the algae community composition was observed at high dosage levels.
The enhanced production of ROS declined the bacteria viability.
Zn2 + was more toxic than that of the ZnO-NPs.