Abstract: The geographical distribution and composition characteristics of 16 types of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 16 types of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in oysters from parts of Chinese coastal waters were analyzed by GC-MS and GC, respectively. In the summer and fall of 2010, 175 sampling sites were set up in Liaoning, Shandong, Zhejiang, Fujian and Guangdong provinces. The results indicated the average total content of 16 types PAHs in oysters across 175 sampling sites was 3.79 μg/kg, and the lowest total content of PAHs was found in oyster samples from Zhejiang province while oyster samples from Liaoning province contained slightly more PAHs. The average total content of 16 types of PCBs in oysters across 175 sampling sites was between 1.41 and 13.95 μg/kg. The geographical distribution of PCBs from north to south first increased and then decreased. PAHs with tricyclic structure were predominant in oyster, and the contents of five- and six-ring PAHs were very low. Only PCBs with three or five chlorine atoms were found in oyster. The overall PAHs and PCBs residues in oyster samples met the sanitary standards for shellfish of China and several developed countries.

Key words: PAHs, PCBs, oysters, coastal waters, geographical distribution, composition characteristics