Nutrient and Chlorophyll-a(Chl-a) concentrations were investigated monthly along three transects extending from a mariculture area to open waters around the Zhangzi Island area from July to December 2009.The objective of this study is to illustrate food availability to the bottom-sowed scallop Patinopecten yessoensis under the influences of the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass(YSCWM),freshwater input and feedbacks of cultivated scallops.Significant thermal stratification was present in open waters from July to October,and salinity decreased in July and August in surface layers in the mariculture area.Nutrient concentrations increased with depth in both areas in summer,but were similar through water column in November and December.On average,nutrient increased from summer to autumn in all components except ammonia.Nutrient concentrations lower than the minimum thresholds for phytoplankton growth were present only in upper layers in summer,but stoichiometric nitrogen limitation existed in the entire investigation period.Column-averaged Chl-a concentration was lower in open waters than in mariculture area in all months.It increased significantly in mariculture area in August and October,and was less variable in open waters.Our results show that nutrients limitation to phytoplankton growth is present mainly in upper layer in association with stratification caused by YSCWM in summer.Freshwater input and upwelling of nutrients accumulated in YSCWM can stimulate phytoplankton production in mariculture area.Farming activities may change stoichiometric nutrient ratios but have less influence on Chl-a concentration. Nutrient and Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentrations were investigated monthly along three transects extending from a mariculture area to open waters around the Zhangzi Island area from July to December 2009. The objective of this study is to illustrate food availability to the bottom- sowed scallop Patinopecten yessoensis under the influences of the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass (YSCWM), freshwater input and feedbacks of cultivated scallops. Significant thermal stratification was present in open waters from July to October, and salinity decreased in July and August in surface layers in the mariculture area. Nutrient concentrations increased with depth in both areas in summer, but were similar through water column in November and December. On average, nutrient increased from summer to autumn in all components except ammonia. Nutrient concentrations lower than the minimum thresholds for phytoplankton growth were present only in upper layers in summer, but stoichiometric nitrogen limited existed in the entire investigation period. Column-averaged Chl-a concentration was lower in open waters than in mariculture area in all months. It increased significantly in mariculture area in August and October, and was less variable in open waters. phytoplankton growth is present mainly in upper layer in association with stratification caused by YSCWM in summer. Freshwater input and upwelling of crops accumulated in YSCWM can stimulate phytoplankton production in mariculture area. Farming activities may change stoichiometric nutrient ratios but have less influence on Chl-a concentration.