Trace amount of water associated with the lattice defects of nominally anhydrous minerals(NAMs) can be measured using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR) and secondary ion mass spectrometry(SIMS). Lots of data on water in NAMs from different lithologies, especially mantle peridotite xenoliths, have been published. The water distribution in olivine from peridotite xenoliths often displays a diffusion profile with high water concentration in the core and low at the rim, which indicates water loss via diffusion during the ascent of host magma. On the other hand, water is homogeneously distributed in pyroxene and its concentration is typically interpreted to represent a mantle value. The water concentration of magma in equilibrium with NAM can be estimated using specific partition coefficient, from which the water content of parental magma and the mantle source can be inferred. The accuracy of this method, however, depends on the selection of appropriate partition coefficient for the system. Using hydrogen isotope compositions and H_2O/Ce ratios of mantle NAMs, water source regions can be traced and water heterogeneity can be mapped in the upper mantle. Water plays an important role in the stability of cratonic mantle. The water contents and vertical distribution patterns can be significantly different among different cratonic mantles, which may result from different geologic activities. However, the mantle-plume interaction may not necessarily result in significant change of water content in cratonic mantle. The estimation of the water content in the upper mantle is still largely based on geochemical models due to the limitations of data on water in mantle NAMs. Trace amount of water associated with the lattice defects of nominally anhydrous minerals (NAMs) can be measured using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Lots of data on water in NAMs from different lithologies, especially mantle peridotite xenoliths, have been published. The water distribution in olivine from peridotite xenoliths often displays a diffusion profile with high water concentration in the core and low at the rim, which indicates water loss via diffusion during the ascent of host magma. On the other hand, water is homogeneously distributed in pyroxene and its concentration is typically interpreted to represent a mantle value. The water concentration of magma in equilibrium with NAM can be estimated using specific partition coefficient, from which the water content of parental magma and the mantle source can be inferred The accuracy of this method, however, depends on the selection of appropriate partition coefficient for The system. Using hydrogen isotope compositions and H_2O / Ce ratios of mantle NAMs, water source regions can be traced and water heterogeneity can be mapped in the upper mantle. Water plays an important role in the stability of cratonic mantle. The water contents and vertical The patterns of the water content in the upper mantle is still largely based on geochemical models due to the limitations of data on water in mantle NAMs.