Water characteristics measured in Narragansett Bay over two years, from March 2021 to March 2023

This dataset includes basic water characteristics measured in Narragansett Bay (Rhode Island, USA) over two years as part of a study of the dynamics of marine cyanobacteria (Synechococcus) and viruses infecting cyanobacteria (cyanophage) in this estuarine ecosystem. The project principal investigators include Nathan Ahlgren (Clark University) and Marcie Marston (Roger Williams University), and the latter collected the data and water with the assistance of students and/or technicians. Water was sampled and measured once per week for a span of two years in total. Water was sampled from a dock located on the campus of Roger Williams University (RWU) at an approximate latitude and longitude coordinates of 41.649737, -71.256378. Water was collected on an incoming tide in the morning and the following parameters were measured: water temperature, salinity, in situ chlorophyll a, nitrate + nitrite, phosphate, and silicate. Water samples were collected and preserved for measurement of Synechococcus abundance by flow cytometry at a later date.