Abstract: Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition, including dry and wet deposition, is an important inorganic and organic N source for ecosystems, and also a key link of the N biogeochemical cycle. Recently, considerable active nitrogen has been emitted into the atmosphere due to enhanced human activities. High N emission leads to high deposition which has caused a series of environment risks, and more attentions have been focused on this issue. This article gave an overview of the basic content about the present N deposition research, such as the component, process, spatial and temporal variation, as well as ecological effect. Then the sampling methods of wet and dry deposition in the field, analysis methods in laboratory and primary techniques of N source identification were summarized. The N deposition research trend in the future was emphasized.