Abstract: [Objective] Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) may be produced during the processes of shale gas exploitation, which may threaten both the environment and the human health. The largest shale gas exploitation area in China is located in the Fuling karst area of Chongqing, and the produced PAHs may impact the karst groundwater system. [Methods] To explore the transport processes of PAHs in karst groundwater system under the influence of shale gas exploitation, the concentrations of PAHs in soils, spring water, surface water and corresponding sediments around a typical exploitation site from the shale gas exploitation area in Fuling were analyzed for studying their spatial distribution, compositions and potential sources. [Results] The results show that the total concentrations of 16 priority PAHs (Σ16PAHs) in the water, soils and sediments ranged from 17.3 to 57.4 ng/L, from 16.1 to 162 ng/g and from 35.3 to 962 ng/g, respectively. The concentration range of Σ16PAHs in the southern tributary and western tributary of Baishui River is 20.3-57.4 ng/L and 18.4-34.4 ng/L, respectively. The operation of the shale gas site may increase the concentrations of PAHs in the water of the southern tributary, but the affected range is limited and will not have obvious influence on the further downstream of the Baishui River. The percentages of low-molecular-weight-PAHs (2 and 3-rings) in the water and sediment/soil ranged from 59 to 82% and 15 to 42%, respectively. The source analysis results showed that the largest contributors for PAHs in the study area were petrogenic and petroleum combustion sources (37.3%), followed by coal/biomass combustion (31.9%), and traffic emission (30.8%). Multivariate linear regression (MLR) analysis revealed that spring water from the southern tributary (p < 0.01) contributed 41.9% of PAHs in the river water of the Baishui River, and spring water from the western tributary (p < 0.01) contributed 29.0% of PAHs in the water of the Baishui River; and soils (p < 0.01) contributed 38.9% of the PAHs in the sediments. PAHs can be transported further to downstream water under the control of the groundwater system and can also be transported from recharge zone soils to spring sediments through surface or subsurface transport processes. [Conclusion] This study characterized the transport process of PAHs in karst groundwater affected by shale gas exploitation, which is of great significance for karst groundwater resources and environmental protection in shale gas exploitation areas.