<p>The concentrations of V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Cd, and Pb were determined in Doulonggang River, Xinyanggang River, Huangshagang River, Sheyanghe River, Guangaizongqu River, and Linhonghe River at the North of Jiangsu Province in 2019. The annual average concentrations of V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Cd and Pb in the six rivers were 2.20, 1.22, 4.53, 21.9, 0.13, 2.79, 1.77, 4.00, 2.97, 3.87, 0.01, 0.19 µg L⁻¹ respectively. The highest concentration of most trace metals were found in Guangaizongqu River and Linhonghe River, and the lowest concentration were found in Xinyanggang River and Huangshagang River. The principal component analysis (PCA) resulted of two factors together explained 91.2% of the variance with &gt;1 initial eigenvalue, indicating that both natural and anthropogenic activities were contributing factors as the source of metal abundance in rivers of northern Jiangsu Province. The first major component represented the influence of anthropogenic activities, including industry and agriculture, with a contribution rate of 54.1%, affected Cr, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mo, Cd and Pb. The second (such as V, Mn, Co, Ni, As) was a mixed source, including the natural processes such as precipitation, erosion and weathering and anthropogenic action like industry and agriculture, with a contribution rate of 37.1%. Seasonal variations in trace metal concentrations were influenced by temperature, salinity, water discharge, and input of external pollutants. The highest concentrations were found in wet season and were strongly influenced by rainfall and seasonal industrial and agricultural activities.</p>