biostudies-literatureLi YLU JIAXI International team program supported by the K.C. Wong Education FoundationNational Natural Science Foundation of ChinaHigh-level Training Project of Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, CAS2980https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9941508biostudies-literatureUnknown13(1)As rapidly developing area of intensive agriculture during the past half century, the oases in the source region of the Tarim River have encountered serious environmental challenges. Therefore, a comparative analysis of soil pollution characteristics and source-specific risks in different oases is an important measure to prevent and control soil pollution and provide guidance for extensive resource management in this area. In this study, the concentration of potential toxic elements (PTEs) was analyzed by collecting soil samples from the four oases in the source region of the Tarim River. The cumulative frequency curve method, pollution index method, positive matrix factorization (PMF) model, geographical detector method and health risk assessment model were used to analyze the pollution sScientific reportsSource apportionment and source-specific risk evaluation of potential toxic elements in oasis agricultural soils of Tarim River Basin.PMC994150842171014GJTD-2020-14E050030101Li YAbuduwaili JMa LZeng TLiu WfalseSource apportionment and source-specific risk evaluation of potential toxic elements in oasis agricultural soils of Tarim River Basin.As rapidly developing area of intensive agriculture during the past half century, the oases in the source region of the Tarim River have encountered serious environmental challenges. Therefore, a comparative analysis of soil pollution characteristics and source-specific risks in different oases is an important measure to prevent and control soil pollution and provide guidance for extensive resource management in this area. In this study, the concentration of potential toxic elements (PTEs) was analyzed by collecting soil samples from the four oases in the source region of the Tarim River. The cumulative frequency curve method, pollution index method, positive matrix factorization (PMF) model, geographical detector method and health risk assessment model were used to analyze the pollution s2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Feb2025-04-26T05:29:30.544Z2025-02-18T22:56:51.045ZS-EPMC99415083680678610.1038/s41598-023-29911-3