Ibrahim Muntaqa Tijjani Usman, PhD

Access to clean and safe drinking water remains a fundamental challenge in many parts of the world, especially in developing regions where conventional water treatment chemicals are costly and sometimes hazardous to health and the environment. My PhD research focuses on developing and optimizing three novel plant-based natural coagulants (PBNCs) as sustainable alternatives to chemical and synthetic coagulants for drinking water treatment. The study aims to enhance water treatment efficiency while promoting eco-friendly solutions that reduce chemical contamination risks and align with global sustainability goals. Chemical coagulants, such as aluminium sulphate (alum) and polyaluminum chloride (PAC), are widely used in water treatment for particle and turbidity removal. However, their prolonged use has been associated with negative health effects, including Alzheimer’s disease and increased sludge production, which contributes to environmental pollution. In contrast, plant-based coagulants offer a biodegradable and safer alternative, harnessing natural bioactive compounds to facilitate flocculation. In response to these concerns, my research explores the extraction, modification, and characterization of three plant-based coagulants derived from locally available plant species, particularly those found in Southeast Asia, where natural coagulants have a history of traditional use. The selection of plants was guided by availability, cost-effectiveness, and high coagulation efficiency, ensuring practical application in real-world water treatment scenarios.
The study employed microwave-assisted grafting copolymerization, an eco-friendly and highly efficient modification technique to enhance the performance of the plant-based coagulants. This technique was chosen for its ability to increase grafting efficiency, reduce reaction time, minimize chemical usage, and offer greater control over molecular modifications. The modified coagulants were tested on synthetic and real water samples to evaluate their efficiency in removing turbidity, natural organic matter, and microbial contaminants. Key analyses conducted include jar tests to determine coagulation performance in varying pH and turbidity conditions; sludge Volume Index (SVI) to assess sludge production and settleability; antimicrobial analysis to compare microbial reduction efficacy between PBNCs and conventional coagulants like alum; toxicological analysis (LC50 tests) to evaluate the impact of coagulants on terrestrial plants and aquatic organisms, ensuring environmental safety; lifecycle assessment (LCA) evaluating their environmental impact; and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) for a comparative ranking of the coagulants based on multi-criteria decision analysis.
The research yielded promising results, with the modified plant-based coagulants demonstrating high turbidity and microbial removal efficiencies comparable to or exceeding those of conventional coagulants. Key findings include superior coagulation efficiency: The optimized PBNCs achieved turbidity reductions of over 99%, with improved performance in acidic to neutral pH ranges; reduced sludge production: Compared to chemical coagulants, the PBNCs generated lower sludge volumes, making disposal more manageable and reducing treatment costs; antimicrobial properties: Unlike synthetic coagulants, PBNCs exhibited antimicrobial activity with 100% E. coli removal, further enhancing water quality resulting in lesser dosage of disinfection chemicals; non-toxic and environmentally friendly: Toxicological assessments confirmed that the PBNCs were safe for aquatic ecosystems and plant growth, making them ideal for sustainable water treatment applications.
This research highlights the potential of plant-based natural coagulants (PBNCs) as cost-effective, sustainable, and environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical coagulants in drinking water treatment, aligning with circular economy principles and net-zero carbon emission goals. Future work should focus on scaling up production, optimizing storage stability, integrating PBNCs into existing treatment systems, to further validate their commercialisation potentials and environmental benefits.

In 2016, I embarked on a transformative academic journey by enrolling in the Professional Diploma in Education (PDE), a specialized one-year program affiliated with Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, and delivered by the Federal College of Education, Kano, Nigeria. This program was designed to equip educators with the foundational and advanced pedagogical skills required for effective teaching, curriculum development, and student engagement in higher education.

Throughout the program, I was exposed to a broad spectrum of instructional methodologies, assessment techniques, and psychological principles essential for fostering an interactive and student-centered learning environment. The curriculum encompassed key areas such as university curriculum development, where I gained insights into structuring academic programs that align with contemporary educational standards and evolving industry needs. Additionally, courses in psychology in education deepened my understanding of cognitive processes, motivation, and learning behaviors, enabling me to tailor my teaching strategies to diverse student needs.

Another crucial aspect of my training was assessment in tertiary schools, where I developed proficiency in designing fair, reliable, and effective evaluation systems that measure both cognitive and practical competencies. I also explored cognitive and psychomotor learning, focusing on enhancing critical thinking, problem-solving, and hands-on skills in students—essential attributes for real-world application. Furthermore, the history of the university education module provided a comprehensive perspective on the evolution of higher education systems, shaping my approach to modern teaching methodologies and academic leadership.

At the culmination of the program, I undertook rigorous examinations and successfully passed with merit, solidifying my competency in academic instruction and student mentorship. This qualification, combined with my extensive research background, has significantly enhanced my effectiveness as a university lecturer. It has empowered me with the ability to design engaging curricula, apply innovative teaching techniques, and conduct impactful student assessments, all while fostering an environment of critical inquiry, intellectual growth, and professional development.

This experience has not only reinforced my passion for academia but has also positioned me as an educator committed to nurturing the next generation of scholars, researchers, and industry leaders. As I continue my academic career, I remain dedicated to advancing teaching excellence, integrating research with pedagogy, and contributing to the evolution of higher education.

Wienerberger Brickmaking Industry (located at Warnham, Surrey, UK) uses a huge amount of water, which is mostly drawn from the public water supply network. In 2010, their water consumption was 2.2 million m³, with 54% drawn from the public supply network. In 2012, it rises to 3.2 million m³ with 45% from the public supply network. Between 2010 and 2012, water consumption rose by 21%; however, public network withdrawal decreased from 54% to 45%. Their goal is to reduce the share of water drawn from the public supply network to 40% by 2020 (Wienerberger AG, 2012). The goal of the research was to evaluate the extent of pollution onsite and the potential pollutant present and to suggest a treatment technique suitable for treating their wastewater to the level they can reuse it in the manufacturing process, thus completely stopping the withdrawal of water from the public water supply network. To achieve the latter, samples were collected from different points (A to SF), with a focus on process wastewater (point C), which is raw process wastewater, and point D, which is a pre-treated process wastewater by sedimentation. An analysis on potential parameters of concern was carried out onsite and at the Centre for Environmental Health Engineering (CEHE), Faculty of Engineering and Physical Science, University of Surrey. Results were recorded, and averages of the focused points C and D were calculated and compared with the Thames Water, WHO, BSR, and EA standard values to determine by how much the pollutants measured are above or below the standard values.
Results were studied, and it was concluded that wastewater pollution is mostly due to high levels of suspended solids, which makes the wastewater opaque (muddy). Though some other inorganic pollutants were present (e.g., barium, sulfate, etc.), the wastewater can be treated to the level it can be reused in the manufacturing processes of bricks. A combined treatment technique was suggested, which incorporates enhanced coagulation flocculation and a membrane filtration system.

Water scarcity is an increasingly pressing global issue, driven by population growth and climate change. One sustainable approach to mitigating this challenge is the reuse of grey water, which includes wastewater from baths, sinks, and laundry (excluding toilet waste). This project focuses on the design and implementation of a grey water irrigation system using a bio-sand filter, aiming to reduce the demand for fresh water in home gardens while ensuring environmental sustainability. Grey water constitutes a significant portion of household wastewater, making up approximately 50-80% of residential water use. Instead of being discarded, it can be repurposed for irrigation, benefiting plants while conserving drinking water. However, untreated grey water contains organic matter, detergents, and potential pathogens, which necessitate filtration before use. To address this, the project designed a bio-sand filtration system capable of effectively treating grey water for irrigation purposes.
The methodology involved three primary components: raw grey water collection, filtration, and treated water storage. The source of grey water for this study was laundry water, which typically generates around 100 litres per use. The filtration system was carefully constructed using layers of gravel, sand, and a biological layer that promotes the breakdown of organic contaminants. A bio-sand filter was selected due to its cost-effectiveness, simple maintenance, and high efficiency in removing suspended solids and pathogens.
To assess the performance of the system, key parameters such as flow rate and turbidity were analysed. The measured flow rate of 0.43 litres per minute was found to be within the acceptable range for bio-sand filters, ensuring a steady supply of treated water for irrigation. Additionally, the system successfully reduced turbidity from 1925 NTU (raw grey water) to 21 NTU (filtered water), achieving an impressive 99% removal efficiency. These results confirmed the effectiveness of the filtration process in removing impurities and improving water quality. The treated grey water was then distributed to plants through an irrigation network, designed to optimize water usage while preventing contamination. To ensure safe application, the system was used for fruit trees and non-leafy edible plants, minimizing direct contact with consumable parts. The study also recommended the use of a sedimentation step before filtration, as this would further reduce suspended solids, preventing clogging and extending the lifespan of the filter.
In conclusion, this project successfully developed a low-cost, efficient, and sustainable method for reusing grey water in home irrigation. The integration of a bio-sand filter proved to be an effective solution for reducing household water consumption, recharging groundwater, and promoting sustainable irrigation practices. By implementing such systems, households can contribute to water conservation efforts while maintaining productive and eco-friendly gardens. This project highlights the potential of greywater recycling as a viable approach to addressing water scarcity and fostering environmental sustainability.