Beginning in the 1960s, people around Florida began lashing old tires together and dropping them in the water offshore to create “tire reefs.” Except it turns out the tire reefs were actually harming both the fish and the waterways, leaching toxic chemicals into the water

“At the time, it was thought that tire placement would increase reef populations, promote tourism and fishing activity, and improve habitats for fish species with minimal economic or environmental costs,” the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported.

But storms dislodge many tires, causing damage to nearby natural coral reefs.

https://www.ecohubmap.com/hot-spot/osborne-reef/5oml7v0929e