pisgahchemist
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A buffer is a mixture of a weak acid and its conjugate base. HCO3^- is the weak acid, and CO3^2- is the conjugate base. But for significant amounts of carbonate ion to exist, the solution will have a relatively high pH.
HCO3^- + OH- <==> H2O + CO3^2-
weak acid ............... ............. conjugate base