France cleaning up tire sea sanctuary

In the 1980s, an initiative to use tires as a marine sanctuary off the French coast failed, leading to pollution instead of restoration. A 2005 study by the University of Neath revealed that the tires were leaching toxic chemicals, including heavy metals, into the water. In 2015, a cleanup effort began, successfully removing 2,500 tires. Plans were made to remove 10,000 more tires in the following weeks, with the remaining 12,500 scheduled for removal by the second quarter of 2019.

What was the original purpose of using tires in the Mediterranean off the French coast?

• To create a new tourist attraction

• To serve as a sanctuary for marine life

• To improve water quality

• To increase fish population for fishing

What did the University of Neath study in 2005 discover about the tires?

• They were increasing fish population

• They were beneficial for coral growth

• They were harmless to the environment

• They were leaching toxic chemicals

What was the main environmental concern associated with the tires?

• They were leaching heavy metals

• They were blocking sunlight

• They were causing erosion

• They were attracting predators

How many tires were initially removed in 2015 to demonstrate safe cleanup?

• 5,000 tires

• 2,500 tires

• 10,000 tires

• 1,000 tires

What was the total number of tires scheduled for removal by the second quarter of 2019?

• 12,500 tires

• 25,000 tires

• 10,000 tires

• 15,000 tires