A term in environmental chemistry that refers to the capacity of a system to resist chemical change. Most often it is used in reference to the ability to resist change in pH. A system that is strongly pH buffered will undergo less change in pH with the addition of an acid or a base than a less well buffered system. A well buffered lake contains higher concentrations of bicarbonate ions that react with added acid. This kind of lake resists change in pH better than a poorly buffered lake. A highly buffered soil contains an abundance of ion exchange sites on clay minerals and organic matter that react with added acid to inhibit pH reduction.

See Also

Acid and Base