In this study, scientists wanted to find a sensitive way to detect environmental pollution. They focused on a tiny organism, Physarum polycephalum, which reacts to pollution. They tested how different substances affected the organism's ATP levels, a kind of energy marker. They found that high pH, sodium sulfite, and salt can decrease ATP levels in these cells. This suggests that the organism can show if the environment is polluted. However, they discovered that ATP levels may not always accurately show pollution effects. Overall, Physarum polycephalum’s ATP levels change when exposed to certain environmental pollutants, helping to understand pollution's impact on living things.