本研究对中国城市群内土壤中的重金属进行了浓度评估、污染评估、来源分析和风险评估，以促进城市群的顺利建设。与背景值相比，土壤中镉（Cd）、铬（Cr）和铜（Cu）的平均浓度水平较高。铜（Cu）、锌（Zn）、铅（Pb）和镉（Cd）在空间上表现出相似性。锰（Mn）和铬（Cr）表现出点源特征，即浓度远高于周围地区。北部地区潜在生态风险属于中等风险级别，其中镉（Cd）对潜在生态风险贡献超过90%。儿童的健康风险高于成人。成人和儿童的主要暴露途径不同。根据危害指数（HI），成人主要通过皮肤接触途径暴露，而儿童则通过皮肤接触和摄入途径同时暴露。成人的主要致癌风险（CR）是通过吸入途径，而儿童主要是通过摄入途径。在儿童和成人中，铬（Cr）是危害指数（HI）和致癌风险（CR）的主要贡献者。根据蒙特卡洛模拟结果，儿童超过危险指数（HI）临界值的累计概率约为成人的2.8-3.0倍。根据灵敏度分析结果，非致癌风险的预防主要应从减少暴露时间和皮肤接触入手。癌症风险主要通过减少暴露时间和控制摄入来降低。正矩阵分解（PMF）来源分析显示，铅（Pb）主要来自交通源。此外，铜（Cu）、铅（Pb）和锰（Mn）主要来自农业源。铬（Cr）主要来自自然源，镉（Cd）主要来自工业源。© 2023。作者（们），在独家许可下给Springer Nature B.V.。

The present study conducted the concentration evaluation, pollution assessment, source analysis, and risk assessment of heavy metals in the soil of the CPUA, China, to contribute to the smooth construction of urban agglomeration. Elevated levels of mean concentrations of cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and copper (Cu) in the soils were shown compared to background values. Cu and zinc (Zn) and also lead (Pb) and Cd exhibited spatial similarity. Manganese (Mn) and Cr exhibited point source characteristics such as the concentrations at a point much higher than the surrounding area. The potential ecological risk in the northern region belonged to the moderate risk level category. Cd contributed over 90% to the potential ecological risk. The health risk among children was higher than that among adults. The major exposure pathways were different for adults and children. Exposure, as shown using Hazard Index (HI), to adults was mainly through the skin contact route, while to children was through both the skin contact and ingestion route. The primary CR (carcinogenic risk) to adults was through the inhalation route, while that to children was through the ingestion route. In both children and adults, Cr was the main contributor to HI and CR. According to the Monte Carlo simulation results, the cumulative probability of exceeding the critical value of HI for children was approximately 2.8-3.0 times that for adults. According to the sensitivity analysis results, non-carcinogenic risk prevention should begin mainly by reducing exposure duration and skin contact. The cancer risk may be reduced primarily by decreasing the exposure duration and controlling ingestion. The PMF (Positive Matrix Factorization) source analysis revealed that Pb mainly came from transportation sources. In addition, Cu, Pb, and Mn were derived mainly from agricultural sources. Cr was derived mostly from a natural source, and Cd originated mainly from an industrial source.© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.