Application of a Rapid and Simple UV-Spectrophotometric Method for the Study of Desorption of Esterquat Collectors in Tailings–Seawater Systems

Abstract

The growing demand for mineral resources followed by the steady increase in mining activity result in the need for the disposal of large amount of tailings. Submarine tailings placements (STPs) is a viable option to land-based waste disposal. However, disposal of tailings with accumulated chemicals continues to contribute to the degradation of the marine environment. Replacement of chemicals towards more environmentally friendly alternatives is a good initiative aimed at preservation and protection of the marine ecosystem. Among the cationic surfactants esterquats-containing reagents have attracted particular attention due to their specific ability to degrade rapidly into non-surface-active and environmentally friendly fragments followed by inorganic end products. The important decomposition reaction is the hydrolysis in the presence of water. In this study the rate of esterquats-containing reagent FLOT 2015 desorption by seawater and the probable mechanism of its chemical degradation in aqueous mediums were investigated with the aid of a simple and adequate UV-spectrophotometric technique. By investigating the desorption characteristics of the adsorbed collector FLOT 2015 on mineral samples, important information regarding its mobility and stability was obtained that would be valuable for environmental impact assessment.