Activation of persulfate is a hot topic in environmental remediation via generating reactive species such as SO 4•− and 1 O 2 . This study investigated the activation of peroxydisulfate (PDS) by HA with respect to the formation mechanisms of reactive species and their roles in contaminant transformation. SO 4•− , HO • , and reactive nitrogen species (RNS, e.g., • NO, • NO 2 , and NH 2 O • ) were proved to be predominant reactive species in the HA/PDS system by electron paramagnetic resonance analysis and radical scavenging tests. The reaction stoichiometric ratio of HA to PDS was about 0.63, involving two major steps: HA initially reacted with PDS to generate SO 4•− and NH 2 O • , and NH 2 O • further reacted with PDS to form SO 4•− and HNO. Ultimately, N 2 O was the major product of HA via the dimerization of HNO. • NO was formed via the reactions of HNO with O 2 and HO • , and • NO 2 could be formed via the reaction of SO 4•− and NO 2 − . In the HA/PDS system, SO 4•− and HO • primarily contributed to the degradation kinetic of carbamazepine, while RNS also played important roles in the transformation pathways of carbamazepine, resulting in the formation of nitroso compounds. As pH increased from 2 to 7, the removal rate of carbamazepine was highest at pH 3−4 (66−69% at 60 min), which is mainly due to NH 2 OH showing higher activation efficiency for PDS but faster consumption for SO 4•− and HO • compared to NH 3 OH + . This study broadens the understanding of peroxide activation by HA and demonstrates the important roles of formed RNS in contaminant transformation.