Aminocarboxylic acid-functionalized saccharide polymers and methods for production and use thereof

Fluid contaminants may be prevalent in many industries, such as the mining industry. Functionalized saccharide polymers comprising two or more monosaccharide units linked by glycosidic bonds and having a portion of the monosaccharide units oxidatively opened and functionalized with at least one aminocarboxylic acid covalently bound through nitrogen at a site of oxidative opening may be utilized in conjunction with fluid remediation processes, such as froth flotation. In non-limiting examples, the functionalized saccharide polymers may also be useful for promoting dust control, particulate coating, clay stabilization, and various subterranean treatment operations. Glycine represents one example of an aminocarboxylic acid that may be covalently bonded through nitrogen at a site of oxidative opening.