This paper reviews studies on formation of the black bloom in Lake Taihu in recent years, with reference to abroad relevant research results about the phenomenon of black spots and hypoxia. A comprehensive summarization focuses on the sensory characteristics and description of the black bloom, the hypoxia and pollution effect, the material and meteorological factors, the microbial and sediment role, the genetic conditions and formation-disappearing processes and so on. We can conclude that the black bloom and its definition are induced from the basic properties, under appropriate weather and terrain conditions, with large amounts of algae or aquatic macrophyte accumulated in local waters for a long time. With interactions of microorganisms and sediments, the accumulated mass can form border distinguishable, removable black stinky, and can led to phenomena of extreme pollution, which result in water quality deterioration and some biological death. Finally, potential future development is proposed in terms of new technologies and new means, e.g. supplying mechanism of active ingredients from sediment,threshold determination of key parameters, stability mechanism of blackening and odor-causing substances.