Abstract:The process of calcification of shellfish produces CO2. However, there are large differences in carbonate system compositions among different aquaculture areas. Thus, more rigorous carbonate chemistry modeling, including concurrent changes in seawater carbonate systems, is needed to quantify the CO2 released into the atmosphere during calcification. In this study, the ratio between the CO2 emitted into the atmosphere during various biogeochemical processes and the CO2 produced by these processes is defined as Φ. Therefore, in the calcification process, the Φcal value represents the amount of CO2 emitted from the seawater to the atmosphere when 1 mol of CaCO3 is formed during shell growth. Results showed that Φcal value varied among seasons. The Φcal value was lowest during summer in Jiaozhou Bay, Sanggou Bay, and Shenao Bay. Regional differences in the carbonate system in the aquaculture sea area could change the Φcal value. In Jiaozhou Bay, 0.79 mol CO2 was released into the atmosphere for every 1 mol CaCO3 deposited during shell growth. In Sanggou Bay and Shenao Bay, this value was 0.72. In Jiaozhou Bay, the Φcal value decreased in the shellfish's main growing season (from March to July). The result of polynomial fitting further suggested that the Φcal value decreased with the temperature rise during this season. The Φcal value decreased faster when the water temperature exceeded 18 ℃. Finally, the annual production of 3.2×105 tons of Philippine clams in Jiaozhou Bay was expected to emit about 1.084×105 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere due to shell growth. This study preliminarily confirmed that Φcal, including concurrent changes in the seawater carbonate system in the aquaculture area, could better quantify the CO2 release caused by shellfish calcification. This study could provide some references for future studies on the topic of the carbon source/sink process of shellfish.