Spatial variation and subcellular binding of metals in oysters from a large estuary in China

► Strong spatial variation of metal pollution in oysters in the Pearl River Estuary. ► Metals differed in their subcellular bindings in the oysters from different locations. ► Significant difference in its two detoxification pools in response to Zn contamination. ► The high Cd concentrations in the oysters may carry a high Cd hazard to the consumers.