Due to a large number of application of the nitrogen fertilizer,unreasonable treatments of the animal wastes,domestic sewage and industrial sewage including nitrogen,and garbage stacking in recent years,the concentration of NO 3 that was toxic to humans in worldwide ground water presented rise trend at different degrees.Photocatalytic removal technology of the nitrogen had many advantages and was widely valued.Cost was low,and there was no secondary pollution.Reaction condition was mild,and reaction time was short.The photocatalytic reduction research of nitrate at home and abroad was reviewed in detail,including photocatalyst,scavenger and reaction mechanism.In particular,perspectives for photocatalytic reduction of the nitrate were detailedly analyzed.