The low levels of Si, Al, and S found in leachate 2 (Table 11) indicate that attack of silicate and sulfide minerals by the NaOAc-HOAc reagent is minimal. Furthermore, the organic carbon content of the sediments is undiminished after treatment with the acetate buffer (Table 111), suggesting that
the organic fraction is also unaffected (cf. 31). The appreciable iron and manganese concentrations found in leachate 2 probably result from the dissolution of divalent salts. Ferrous and manganous carbonate are the logical candidates (42,431, given the pH values and inorganic carbon concentrations
prevalent in natural environments.