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Microbial treatment of Cr(VI) is an environmentally friendly and low-cost approach. However, the mechanism of mutualism and the role of interspecies electron transfer in Cr(VI) reducing microflora are unclear. Herein, we constructed an intersymbiotic microbial association flora to augment interspecies electron transfer via functionalizing electroactive Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 with metal-reducing microflora, and thus the efficiency of Cr(VI) reduction. The findings suggest that the metal-reducing active microflora could converts glucose into lactic acid and riboflavin for S. oneidensis MR-1 to act as a carbon source and electron mediator. Thus, when adding initial 25 mg/L Cr (VI), this microflora exhibited an outstanding Cr (VI) removal efficiency (100%) at 12 h and elevated Cr (III) immobilization efficiency (80%) at 60 h with the assistance of 25 mg/L Cu(II). A series of electrochemical experiments proved this remarkable removal efficiency were ascribed to the improved interspecies electron transfer efficiency through direct interspecies electron transfer and riboflavin through mediated interspecies electron transfer. Furthermore, the metagenomic analysis revealed the expression level of the electron transport pathway was promoted. Intriguing high abundance of genes participating in the bio-reduction and biotransformation of Cr(VI) was also observed in functional microflora. These outcomes give a novel strategy for enhancing the reduction and fixation of harmful heavy metals by coculturing function microflora with electrogenic microorganisms. [Display omitted] • An intersymbiotic microflora was constructed by functionalizing S. oneidensis MR-1 with metal-reducing bacteria. • The microflora achieved Cr(VI) removal efficiency of 100% and Cr (III) immobilization efficiency of 80%. • The removal efficiency was ascribed to the improved interspecies electron transfer. • The metal-reducing active microflora converted glucose to lactate and riboflavin for S. oneidensis MR-1 to utilize. • The metagenomic analysis revealed the expression level of the electron transport pathways were promoted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chromium ore processing residue (COPR) is a hazardous waste generated during the production of chromate. Currently, approximately 10% of Cr 2 O 3 cannot be extracted after chromite sodium roasting and remains in COPR, wasting valuable Cr resources. In this study, Mg was selectively removed by using (NH 4) 2 SO 4 roasting in combination with H 2 SO 4 leaching. The results showed that the selective removal of 79.55% Mg from COPR could be achieved under the optimum (NH 4) 2 SO 4 roasting conditions (80 mmol (NH 4) 2 SO 4 , 800 °C, 2 h). During the subsequent sodium roasting and acid leaching stages, the Cr extraction rate was 84.63% for the COPR direct roasting and 95.39% for the Mg removal residue roasting. The increased Cr extraction efficiency is attributed to the transformation of Mg-rich spinel and diopside (the Mg & Cr coexisting phases) in COPR converted into easily extractable (Fe,Cr) 2 O 3 and Cr 2 O 3 after the Mg treatment. This study investigated that the phase transformation of the Cr host phases is crucial for the sufficient extraction of Cr and provides inspiration for the development of efficient and practical Cr extraction techniques. Moreover, the method can be extended to the effective extraction of Cr from other Cr-containing wastes. [Display omitted] • The Cr host phases in COPR are Mg-containing spinel and Mg-containing diopside. • Selective pre-removal of Mg can effectively enhance the extraction of Cr from COPR. • The phase transformation of Cr-containing wastes is critical for Cr extraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfidated nanoscale zero-valent iron (S-nZVI) has shown excellent removal capacity for the removal of cadmium (Cd) in aqueous phase. Herein, the effectiveness and the mechanism of S-nZVI for the remediation of Cd contaminated soil were investigated for the first time. The results of sequential extraction procedures (SEP) showed that the exchangeable (EX) Cd was decreased by over 97.6% at the optimal dosage of 5 g kg-1 S-nZVI during 30 d incubation and converted to less available Cd such as iron-manganese oxides-bound (OX) and organic matter-bound (OM) fractions. pH has negligible effect on the immobilization of Cd in soil, since OX fraction was stabilized in the range of 72–92% at initial soil pH range from 5.3 to 7.5. SEM-EDS analysis of the separated magnetic particles implied that Cd was successfully enriched on S-nZVI and the distribution of Cd was closely related to Fe, S, and O. CdO and CdS was confirmed as the key products for Cd immobilization in soil. Meanwhile, the S-nZVI was oxided to α-FeOOH, γ-FeOOH, and γ-Fe 2 O 3. The existence of CdO was visibly related to the iron oxides, suggesting the synergetic immobilization effect by iron oxides. Overall, S-nZVI was promising for the remediation of Cd-contaminated soil. [Display omitted] ● S-nZVI could effectively remediate Cd-contaminated soil. ● Exchangeable Cd fraction sharply decreased from 73% to below 1% at 3 h. ● Initial soil pH value showed a slight effect on Cd immobilization by S-nZVI. ● A potential mechanism for Cd immobilization was illustrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]