By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus

A Nigerian-born environmental scientist, Olajide Oladipo, has developed a groundbreaking, low-cost solution for removing toxic boron from coal ash wastewater in the United States.

The environmental solution, according to the research report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, offers a major advancement in environmental remediation and water safety.

Oladipo, a doctoral researcher in environmental geochemistry at the University of Georgia, created a treatment system that eliminates over 99 per cent of boron from coal combustion residuals (CCR) wastewater.

The study noted that the system used recycled aluminium cans, steel slag, and agricultural waste-derived biochar—materials readily available and inexpensive.

“This work is about more than science, it’s about justice, access, and hope. We are transforming industrial and agricultural waste into tools for environmental protection,” Oladipo said.

NAN reports that coal ash, a toxic byproduct of coal-fired power plants, continues to threaten groundwater across the U.S., even as coal’s share of the energy mix has fallen from nearly 50 per cent in 2008 to 15 per cent in 2024.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had imposed stricter regulations on pollutants like boron, which is harmful to plants and aquatic life in high concentrations.

However, existing boron-removal technologies are often too costly for utility companies to implement at scale.

Backed by major energy sector stakeholders, the research report explained that Oladipo’s innovation met EPA’s coal Combustion Residuals Rule and Effluent Limitations Guidelines, while also aligning with federal goals on circular economy, climate policy, and environmental justice.

Meanwhile, his work has earned a national recognition; a finalist in the American Association of Petroleum Geologists’ sustainable development competition and won first place at the River Basin Center’s Confluence symposium.

Oladipo said he had also presented at leading scientific gatherings, including the Geological Society of America (GSA), the American Geophysical Union (AGU), and the World of Coal Ash (WOCA).

Born and raised in Nigeria, Oladipo is building research partnerships between U.S. and Nigerian institutions.

He is mentoring students and advocating for the adoption of low-cost remediation solutions in Africa.

“Nigeria has both the need and the capacity to lead in sustainable remediation. What we lack is often the bridge between research and implementation,” he said.

Despite global energy transitions, coal remains a key part of the U.S. power grid and the study said Oladipo’s method offered a rare bipartisan advantage, supporting both environmental remediation and infrastructure resilience.

“Sometimes, the future comes from what we throw away,” he submitted. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Magdalene Ukuedojor