Primary biodegradation of sulfide mineral flotation collectors

Abstract The primary aerobic biodegradation of several sulfide mineral flotation collectors has been studied, and the kinetic model of biodegradation is also discussed. The results show that sodium diethyldithiocarbamate, ammonium butyl-dithiophosphate, n -butyl xanthate can be readily biodegraded, their primary biodegradation extent can reach 97.1%, 93.7%, 81.8%, respectively in 8 d. However, ethylthionocarbamate is difficult to be biodegraded, with its primary biodegradation efficiency being only 37.3% in 8 d. The rate constants follow the order of: k sodium diethyldithiocarbamate > k ammonium butyl-dithiophosphate > k n -butyl xanthate > k ethylthionocarbamate . Their aerobic biodegradation kinetics can be accurately described by first order reaction kinetics equations.