Level of pollution in a lake and sea waters are usually well seen from the bacterium Escherichia coli contamination. But now experts find new indicators to assess the level of pollution, the presence or absence of contamination of coffee.

Indicators of water pollution unusual was discovered by Prof. Sebastian Sauve from the University of Montreal, in a recent study. According to him, this new indicator will be useful when the content of bacteria in water are difficult to observe.

“Our research shows there is a close relationship between the levels of coffee in the waters with high levels of E coli bacteria in it. The caffeine in coffee can be an indicator of pollution in the waters,” says Prof. Sauve as quoted by Medindia .

In his research, Prof. Sauve took water samples at a number of journalists and sea waters in Montreal, Canada. There are three indicators of pollution are observed which include E coli bacteria, caffeine and one anticonvulsant drug that is Carbamazepin.

E coli is a bacteria commonly found in human feces, so it is often used to detect the presence of fecal contamination in waters. Carbamazepin and caffeine is not of man, but allegedly got in touch with the level of pollution.

Initially, Prof. Sauve think Carbamazepin sufficiently accurate to be used as an indicator because the long decay time that its presence can be detected in a long time in the waters. But in this study, the levels were not always proportional to the levels of E coli.

Caffeine also has a long decomposition time ie 2-3 months, thus including those proposed to be used as an indicator. And it turns out, research results as expected because the levels of caffeine in a water contamination is proportional to the levels of E coli.

Research conducted by Prof. Sauve did not reveal more about why this is so. But it seems quite reasonable, because where there is coffee then surely there is human activity including bowel movements and may also dispose of litter.