acid base - Why does buffer capacity of tartrate buffer generally decrease as the buffer pH increases?

From what I see, the buffer capacity of tartrate buffer is generally decreasing as buffer pH increases. Why is this? Also, does this mean that tartrate buffer doesn't have a maximum buffer capacity at pH=pKa?

Or is there a more reliable source where I can get the buffer capacity vs. buffer pH graph for buffers of tartaric acid? This image is from a blog, and I can't find the real source of this image, even with Google image search.

Answer

Generally, the maximum buffer capacity is at $\ce{pK_a}$ . The tartaric acid is somewhat special for 2 reasons:

1. 
   

   It is a diprotic acid with both $\ce{pK_a}$ very close, with the $\ce{pK_{a1}}$ rather low, being affected by the reason 2. :

   
   
   

   $$\ce{pK_{a1}}=2.89,\ce{pK_{a2}}= 4.40 (L+)$$

   
   


2. The solution buffer capacity (not limited to presence of specific buffer substances) generally increases toward $\ce{pH}=0$. It means, the buffer capacity is not given by concentration of of conjugated acid and base, but also by concentration of $\ce{H+}$ itself. That in large extent masks the $\ce{pK_a}$ maximum. It means, at a slope, a local peak must be big enough to be a peak.