Lichens and Air Pollution. One of the most common indicator species used to measure air pollution are lichens. Lichens are similar to fungi and algae, and absorb water and minerals from the air to grow on living and nonliving surfaces.As such, lichens absorb all the pollutants in the environment, and some varieties of lichen survive better in the presence of pollution than others.ichens and Air Pollution. One of the most common indicator species used to measure air pollution are lichens. Lichens are similar to fungi and algae, and absorb water and minerals from the air to grow on living and nonliving surfaces.