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An aluminum smelter situated at the head of Kitimat Arm (BC, Canada) has discharged polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) into the receiving waters since 1954. The purpose of the present study was to examine the distribution of PAHs contaminants in dungeness crabs (Cancer magister) collected in Kitimat Armand Douglas Channel (BC, Canada) by determining the concentrations of PAHs in the hepatopancreas and muscle tissues of crabs by using gas chromatography--mass spectrometry. Crabs were collected at specific sites down the Arm from the smelter on four separate occasions over a three-year period. Hepatopancreas and muscle tissues of the crabs were analyzed for 10 of the 16 PAH priority pollutants recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Results of the studies showed that the crabs had detectable levels of PAHs in hepatopancreas and muscle tissues. The highest concentrations of PAHs in the tissues were found at a site near the aluminum smelter, the alleged point source of PAH discharge. The concentrations of PAH analytes were high in crabs collected close to the smelter and at lower levels in crabs collected throughout Douglas Channel. These results show that PAHs discharged by the smelter were bioavailable to the crabs. The concentration of each PAH analyte in the hepatopancreas was found to be strongly related to its water solubility. However, the PAH analyte concentrations in the hepatopancreas and muscle did not appear to correlate highly with each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]