This research aimed to optimize the experimental conditions of biodesulfurization of sulfide ore and to evaluate the flame-retardant effect after desulfurization under optimal conditions. Six experimental factors were determined: particle size of ore sample, ambient temperature, rotary speed of the shaking table, volume of bacteria liquid, concentration of leaching aid (Tween80), and pH value of acidizing ore sample. Desulfurization efficiency was used as the main characterization index of the desulfurization effect in optimization studies. Particle size of ore sample, rotary speed of the shaking table, and volume of bacteria liquid inoculated were selected as significant factors by a Plackett–Burman experiment. Modeling, optimization, and analysis of the interactive effects of these factors, notably between particle size and bacteria liquid, were performed using a Box–Behnken design with response surface methodology. The optimum operating conditions were found to be: particle size of 120 to 140 mesh, rotary speed of 175 rpm, and bacteria liquid of 111 mL. Under these conditions, a significant rise of 8.1% was seen in 5-day average desulfurization efficiency. The 5-day oxidation weight gain rate of desulfurized ore was 2.73%, while that of the control group was 4.78%. The results show that, after optimized desulfurization, the surface oxidizability and spontaneous combustion tendency of the ore are reduced.

Soil contamination with potentially toxic element such as chromium (Cr) poses a threat to the environment and human health. The environmental toxicity of Cr is related not only to the total Cr content but also to the distribution of Cr fractions. In this study, laboratory simulation experiments were conducted to explore the characteristics of Cr fractions and responses of the functional microbial community during dynamic leaching and static drying processes. The results showed that acid-soluble Cr and reducible Cr transformed into other relatively stable fractions under dry conditions, and ammonium nitrogen promoted the transformation. Nitrate-nitrogen was significantly positively correlated with Cr fractions in the wet stage (p < 0.05), while ammonium nitrogen showed the same relation in the dry process. Analysis of the microbial community showed that the bacterial and fungal genera Flavihumibacter, Altererythrobacter, Methylobacillus, Flavisolibacter, Lysobacter, and Cladosporium were related to the Cr fractions (acid-soluble Cr, reducible Cr, and oxidizable Cr) under wet conditions, while the microbial genera Ellin6067, MND1, and Ramlibacter were related to Cr fractions under dry conditions. Moreover, the proliferation of the functional microbial genera Methylobacillus, Ellin6067, and MND1 related to Cr fractions in the wet–dry conversion process alleviated the environmental toxicity of Cr. These findings provide useful information for the remediation of Cr-contaminated soils by monitoring the distribution fractions of Cr and the functional microbial community under wet–dry conditions.