Method for inhibiting the deposition of silica and/or silicate compounds in aqueous systems

A method inhibits the deposition of silica and/or silicate compounds on a surface in an aqueous system. The method includes the step of adding a polymer to the aqueous system. The polymer comprises the reaction product of a natural oil component and an alkylene oxide. The polymer of the subject invention has a core, comprising a fatty acid or an ester thereof, and a plurality of polymeric side chains bonded to the core. The plurality of polymeric side chains comprise alkyleneoxy groups selected from the group of ethyleneoxy groups, propyleneoxy groups, butyleneoxy groups, and combinations thereof.