Data on the distribution of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) were obtained from two cruises in the North Yellow Sea (NYS) and off the Qingdao Coast (QC) in October, 2007. Carbonate parameters were calculated. The concentrations of DIC are from 1.896−2.229 mmolL -1 in the NYS and from 1.939−2.032 mmolL -1 off the QC. In the southwest of the NYS, DIC in the upper layers decreases from the north of the SP (Shandong Peninsula) shelf to the center of the NYS; whereas in the lower layers DIC increases from the north of the SP shelf to the center of the NYS and South Yellow Sea. In the northeast of the NYS, DIC in all layers increases from the YR (Yalu River) estuary to the centre of the NYS. The distribution of DIC in NYS can be used as an indicator of Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass (YSCWM). Air-sea CO 2 fluxes were calculated using three models and the results suggest that both the NYS and the QC waters are potential sources of atmospheric CO 2 in October.