Mercury isotope compositions in unpolluted system as well as the anthropogenic Hg sources generally have different isotopic signatures. As a novel tracer, Hg stable isotopes can be useful to interpret the anthropogenic Hg sources. The review shows that: (a) Hg stable isotopic tracer mechanism; (b) Hg isotopic signatures originated from nature and human activities; (c) as a tracer to the historical record and metal pollution sources in the lake sediments. It is proposed that the focus of future study is to use a combination of theoretical and experimental methods to better understand mercury isotope fractionation mechanism, and to effectually recognize the Hg isotope compositions and metal pollution sources in the lake sediments.