Aerobic denitrification is an aerobic process to convert NO₃^--N into N₂. Aerobic denitrifiers not only denitrify well, but also survive under extreme conditions such as to tolerate a variety of heavy metals. This paper summarizes the effects of Cr(VI), Cu(Ⅱ), Cd(Ⅱ) on the denitrification efficiency of aerobic denitrifiers. At the same time, the mechanisms of aerobic denitrifiers to tolerate or remove different heavy metals are summarized. The application potential of aerobic denitrifiers in industrial wastewater is analyzed, and the future research direction of aerobic denitrifiers is proposed, to provide comprehensive theoretical understanding and technical support for the treatment of nitrogen and heavy metals pollution in industrial water.