Abstract: As a typical front type, the penetrating front (PF) significantly affects the cross-shelf transport of substances, which plays an important role in regulating the regional biogeochemical-ecological processes. Based on the data of temperature, salinity, nutrients and Chlorophyll a (Chl a) obtained in the Changjiang Estuary-inner East China Sea shelf during the spring of 2017, this study explored the influences and mechanisms of penetrating front on the distributions of nutrients and Chl a. The results show that the low-salinity water off the Changjiang Estuary presents a multidirectional transport pattern in the upper layers, and two PFs expanding southeastward forms in the southeast of Zhoushan Islands and near 124°E to the east of Hangzhou Bay. The low-salinity water can be transported offshore by the PF over long distances from the nearshore, which also produces a strong halocline in the penetrating front-dominated area. The tongue-shaped high-nutrient areas generally corresponding to the position of the PFs indicates the role of the PF on nutrient transport. Due to the nutrient supply of the PF, a high-Chl a zone in a double-tongue shape forms in the east of Hangzhou Bay and southeast of Zhoushan Islands, and its position matches well with the two PFs. Meanwhile, good light conditions and high water column stability in the PF-dominated region were also favorable for the phytoplankton blooms and biomass accumulation, thus leading to the formation of high-Chl a zone. This study may provide an important scientific basis for further understanding of the impacts of PF on the biogenic element cycling, primary production and ecosystem on the East China Sea shelf.