Abstract: To understand pollution level and possible sources of atmospheric fine particulates in rural areas of southern Jiangsu Province,samples of PM_2.5 were collected and analyzed in Xueyan Town and Taihu Lake Station over three seasons(summer,autumn,winter) from July 2002 to January 2003.The mass concentrations of PM_2.5 and 14 principal component elements were obtained.The results showed that pollution of PM_2.5 had been serious and the concentration level of S,Zn,Pb and As was similar to cities.There was different regional and seasonal distribution law of elements in PM_2.5,probably due to contribution of local sources and complicated meteorological condition.The result of principal components analysis showed that main sources of PM_2.5 included crustal re-suspension,coal burning,metal processing industry or waste incineration,and vehicular emission,which suggested that anthropogenic behavior was of important influence on PM_2.5 in rural areas of southern Jiangsu Province.