Dust is closely related to human well-being, functioning to increase rainfall, slow global warming and improve the marine plankton net primary productivity, but also leading to increased air pollution, negative effects on human health and harm to agriculture, forestry, industry and transport. So the study of dust traceability is one of the neighborhood hotspots of desert ecology. This paper reviewed the history and current situation of research on the traceability of dust by introducing the physical, chemical, isotopic and other methods for the research.On the basis of a systematic analysis, the problems arising in the dust traceability research is identified and the development trend in the research is also prospected. This research is aimed at exploring new approaches to the research on dust traceability and providing references to sandstorms forecast, health management in dust source region, and sandstorms harm reduction.