For the purpose of evaluating the effect of flue gas desulphurization gypsum (FGDG) additive on characteristics and evolution of humic substance (HS) during composting, HS from composts with FGDG (CPG) and without FGDG (CP) were extracted and assessed with respect to their particle size, elemental analysis, FTIR and UV-vis spectroscopy, and the molecular composition of HS was characterized via pyrolysis-GC/MS as well. The particle size of HS ranged between 300 and 600 nm, representing a bimodal distribution. As composting proceeded, the C/H of HS increased, and C/N decreased. The FTIR and UV-vis spectroscopy indicated that the aromatization of HS was promoted over the composting process. Adding FGDG increased the unsaturated degree and aromatization of HS. Pyrolysis-GC/MS showed the level of alkane decreased, and the level of benzene and nitrogen compounds increased upon the addition of FGDG. The nitrogen compounds of HS in CPG was significantly higher than that in CP. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.