A mathematical model, based on application of the Bronsted equations for general acid-base catalysis, has been developed for use in forecasting the maximum contribution of buffer catalysis in pollutant hydrolysis reactions. The predictive capacity of the model is utilized to examine the potential significance of buffer catalysis in selected buffers and in a nutrient medium, both typical of laboratory studies, as well as in natural waters of varying chemical composition. Buffer catalysis is predicted to be potentially significant in laboratory studies that use buffers at concentrations above 0.001 M to maintain constant pH; however, at the very low concentrations of Bronsted acids and bases in most aquatic environments, this phenomenon is probably insignificant. (Copyright (c) 1983 by the American Chemical Society.)