Abstract: The nitrogen and phosphorus releasing from the sediments in the water bodies are the main cause of eutrophication. This study summarized the main occurrence forms of nitrogen and phosphorus in the sediments, and the release pathways and description methods of nitrogen and phosphorus. On the basis, the influencing factors of the release process of nitrogen and phosphorus in the sediments were concluded from 5 aspects, i.e., sediment properties, the physical and chemical properties of overlying water of the sediments, organisms, water volume change of the water bodies, and disturbance effect. Then, the effects of dissolved oxygen content in the water bodies, pH and the water temperature of the water bodies on the release of nitrogen and phosphorus in the sediments were clarified. Finally, the future related research was prospected.