Abstract: In order to understand the research trend on nonpoint source (NPS) pollution in Northeast China and to find its problems and shortcomings, the related research findings from 1991 to 2008 were searched, categorized, and statistically analyzed, so that the regional strategies could be employed to bring water pollution under control. Overall, the research on NPS pollution in Northeast China had an increasing trend, and the research contents included investigation and assessment, quantification of pollution load, mechanisms of pollutants translocation, modeling simulation, and prevention and control. The research interests were nitrogen, phosphorus, sediments, pesticides, and heavy metals. Empirical methods rather than mechanism models were more used to estimate the pollution load, and the researches were more on agricultural rather than urban NPS pollution. The control and management of NPS pollution was remained in soil and water conservation, and lacked of optimal collection assessment for soil and water conservation measures and of assessment for optimal management methods. At present, the research was overall at the stage of theoretical exploration, and controversy remained whether the nonpoint source was major source or not. Incoming researches should focus on the measure application, assessment, basic data collection, determination of regional NPS pollutants, quantification of pollution load, and invention of new technologies; and multi-disciplinary corporation should be strengthened to supply scientific bases for regional water environmental control and prevention.

Key words: nonpoint source, water environment, pollution prevention and control, Northeast China, alpine forest, headwater stream, soluble nitrogen, soluble phosphorus.