The identification of the main inorganic nitrogen (MIN, referring to NH4+-N, NO3--N, and NO2--N) pollution sources in groundwater is of great significance to its control and repair. A review of the MIN sources in groundwater and the main identification methods was conducted. The main sources of MIN pollution in groundwater (atmospheric nitrogen deposition, soil natural organic nitrogen mineralization, nitrogen from streams, and nitrogen emission from human activity), and its distribution in China were expounded. The common methods for tracing MIN sources include hydrochemical analysis, statistical estimation, regional nitrogen balance evaluation, stable isotopes tracer, and new types of tracers. Because of the variety of nitrogen sources and the complexity of the MIN pollution formation mechanism, the single identification methods shared limitations in application, whereas more comprehensive ones, especially the stable isotope tracer integrated with other methods, were mainstream. Furthermore, future research prospects, including the development of new types of tracing methods, the optimization of quantification methods, the integration of research on pollution source identification, transformation mechanism, groundwater recharge and discharge condition, and groundwater-surface water conversion, have been put forward.
Keywords: groundwater; inorganic nitrogen pollution; isotope tracing; nitrogen source identification; pollution source.