Eutrophication is a widespread ecological issue affecting freshwater and marine ecosystems globally. California’s coastal regions are particularly vulnerable to eutrophication due to agricultural intensity and dense population centers, while various underlying abiotic factors drive the occurrence of eutrophication. This paper focuses on understanding the drivers and patterns of eutrophication in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, specifically emphasizing individual major algal growth predictors and their collective influence on total algae concentration. USGS water quality data from Van Sickle Island in Suisun Bay, California, collected from June 2020 to May 2023, was analyzed using multivariate linear regression analysis. The study found that the predictors of temperature and turbidity were positively related to chlorophyll concentration. Although considered a predictor, nitrate concentration showed a weaker correlation with chlorophyll. The analysis revealed that the monthly average data for each algae growth predictor best fit the relationship with chlorophyll. These findings suggest that turbidity may be the dominant factor influencing algal growth in the Suisun Bay estuary system, while nutrient availability, specifically nitrates, may not be a primary driver. The results highlight the need to consider waterbody temperature and turbidity as important variables in developing effective management and mitigation practices around eutrophication.
