What plants are especially susceptible to pollution?

Question

I'm performing an experiment in which used tire chemicals will be included in the subject plants water, and was wondering what plants would easily die from pollution.

Also, should I demonstrate this by planting a seed and watering it with only the poluted water, or use the water on an adult plant and look for an adverse reaction?

Answer 1

I learned in College Ecology that tree lichens are sensitive to air pollution. The amount of pollution in a given area can be determined by the amount of growth or lack thereof over a given time.

Answer 2

Lichens are very picky about pollution. Look around, if you don't see lichen anywhere, you are in a polluted area. Lichen grows on my balcony :)

Answer 3

Put it this way: if there is a Human there, it will be Polluted.