Sedimentation on the cold-water coral Lophelia pertusa: Cleaning efficiency from natural sediments and drill cuttings

► Sediment particles are efficiently removed from tissue-covered parts of L. pertusa. ► L. pertusa reject natural sediments and drill cuttings equally well. ► Sediment accumulates mainly on bare skeleton parts of L. pertusa. ► Burial of drill cuttings at current risk assessment threshold may damage L. pertusa.