The effects of clove oil on coral: an experimental evaluation using Pocillopora damicornis (Linnaeus)

Abstract

Clove oil solution (10% clove oil, 90% ethanol) is an anaesthetic that is widely used to catch demersal fish on coral reefs. This study assessed the effects of clove oil solution on colonies of Pocillopora damicornis, a cosmopolitan reef coral. In the laboratory, low concentrations (0.5 ppt) of clove oil solution had no effect on coral colour or photosynthetic efficiency, irrespective of exposure time (1–60 min). Corals treated with high concentrations (50 ppt) of clove oil solution died immediately, including those that were exposed briefly (1 min). Intermediate concentrations (5 ppt) of clove oil solution produced variable results: a 1 min exposure had no effect, a 10 min exposure caused bleaching and reduced photosynthetic efficiency, and a 60 min exposure caused total mortality. To validate these observations, clove oil solution was applied to corals in situ. Sixty-three days after application, corals treated with 10 ml of clove oil solution appeared to be unaffected. It was concluded that (1) limited amounts of clove oil solution are unlikely to harm this coral, and (2) clove oil solution may represent an 'eco-friendly' alternative to cyanide for use in the live reef-fish trade.