Water quality metrics collected from 10 meter reefs from around the U.S. Virgin Islands during April 2022 (Multi-scale multi-host disease spread project)

Abstract

These data include water quality metrics collected at 10-meter reef sites in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) during April 2022. Two reefs were located near St. John (Haulover Bay and Coral Bay) and two near St. Croix (Cane Bay and Buck Island). Physical parameters were measured using an EXO Sonde, while water samples collected approximately 2 meters above the reefs were analyzed for inorganic nutrient concentrations, microbial cell abundances, total organic carbon (TOC), and total nitrogen (TN). Characterizing the physical and chemical properties of reef waters provides important context for understanding microbial community dynamics and their potential role in coral reef health and disease processes.

For a complete list of measurements, refer to the full dataset description in the supplemental file 'Dataset_description.pdf'. The most current version of this dataset is available at: https://www.bco-dmo.org/dataset/986266