Analysis of the Internal Radial Gradient of Chemical Abundances in Spiral Galaxies from CALIFA
The study of chemical evolution is of paramount importance for understanding the evolution of galaxies. Models and observations propose an inside-out mechanism in the formation of spiral galaxy disks, implying a negative radial gradient of elemental abundances when represented on a logarithmic scale...
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IOP Publishing
2025-01-01
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| Series: | The Astrophysical Journal |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ad9eab |
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| author | A. F. S. Cardoso O. Cavichia M. Mollá L. Sánchez-Menguiano |
| author_facet | A. F. S. Cardoso O. Cavichia M. Mollá L. Sánchez-Menguiano |
| author_sort | A. F. S. Cardoso |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The study of chemical evolution is of paramount importance for understanding the evolution of galaxies. Models and observations propose an inside-out mechanism in the formation of spiral galaxy disks, implying a negative radial gradient of elemental abundances when represented on a logarithmic scale. However, in some instances, the observed chemical abundance gradients deviate from a single negative straight line, revealing inner drops or outer flattenings, particularly in more massive galaxies. This study analyzes oxygen abundance gradients in spiral galaxies based on observations from the Calar Alto Legacy Integral Field Area survey. Our focus is specifically on examining oxygen abundance gradient profiles, as obtained with data from H ii regions, with a special emphasis on the inner radial gradient. We employ an automated fitting procedure to establish correlations between the physical properties of galaxies and bulges and the presence of these inner drops, seeking potential explanations for these variations in gradient. We find that the different criteria used in the literature to distinguish H ii regions from other ionization sources in the galaxies, such as active galactic nuclei, significantly impact the results, potentially altering abundance gradient profiles and uncovering galaxies with distinct inner drops. Additionally, we analyze the abundance radial gradients to investigate the impact of diffuse ionized gas (DIG) decontamination on oxygen abundances over these inner drops. We observe that DIG, concentrated mainly in the central regions of galaxies, can modify oxygen abundance gradient profiles if left unaddressed. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-87fb565e05e74828b4e10789ddeea65e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1538-4357 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | IOP Publishing |
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| series | The Astrophysical Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-87fb565e05e74828b4e10789ddeea65e2025-02-03T12:10:50ZengIOP PublishingThe Astrophysical Journal1538-43572025-01-0198014510.3847/1538-4357/ad9eabAnalysis of the Internal Radial Gradient of Chemical Abundances in Spiral Galaxies from CALIFAA. F. S. Cardoso0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1097-3247O. Cavichia1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7103-8036M. Mollá2https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0817-581XL. Sánchez-Menguiano3https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1888-6578Instituto de Física e Química, Universidade Federal de Itajubá , Av. BPS, 1303, 37500-903 Itajubá-MG, Brazil ; afelipe2992@gmail.comInstituto de Física e Química, Universidade Federal de Itajubá , Av. BPS, 1303, 37500-903 Itajubá-MG, Brazil ; afelipe2992@gmail.comDepartamento de Investigación Básica, CIEMAT , Avda. Complutense 40, E-28040 Madrid, SpainDepartamento de Física Teórica y del Cosmos, Universidad de Granada , Campus Fuente Nueva, Edificio Mecenas, 18071 Granada, Spain; Instituto Carlos I de Física Teórica y Computacional , Facultad de Ciencias, 18071 Granada, SpainThe study of chemical evolution is of paramount importance for understanding the evolution of galaxies. Models and observations propose an inside-out mechanism in the formation of spiral galaxy disks, implying a negative radial gradient of elemental abundances when represented on a logarithmic scale. However, in some instances, the observed chemical abundance gradients deviate from a single negative straight line, revealing inner drops or outer flattenings, particularly in more massive galaxies. This study analyzes oxygen abundance gradients in spiral galaxies based on observations from the Calar Alto Legacy Integral Field Area survey. Our focus is specifically on examining oxygen abundance gradient profiles, as obtained with data from H ii regions, with a special emphasis on the inner radial gradient. We employ an automated fitting procedure to establish correlations between the physical properties of galaxies and bulges and the presence of these inner drops, seeking potential explanations for these variations in gradient. We find that the different criteria used in the literature to distinguish H ii regions from other ionization sources in the galaxies, such as active galactic nuclei, significantly impact the results, potentially altering abundance gradient profiles and uncovering galaxies with distinct inner drops. Additionally, we analyze the abundance radial gradients to investigate the impact of diffuse ionized gas (DIG) decontamination on oxygen abundances over these inner drops. We observe that DIG, concentrated mainly in the central regions of galaxies, can modify oxygen abundance gradient profiles if left unaddressed.https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ad9eabChemical abundancesGalaxy bulgesGalaxy chemical evolutionH II regionsGalaxy abundancesGalaxy disks |
| spellingShingle | A. F. S. Cardoso O. Cavichia M. Mollá L. Sánchez-Menguiano Analysis of the Internal Radial Gradient of Chemical Abundances in Spiral Galaxies from CALIFA The Astrophysical Journal Chemical abundances Galaxy bulges Galaxy chemical evolution H II regions Galaxy abundances Galaxy disks |
| title | Analysis of the Internal Radial Gradient of Chemical Abundances in Spiral Galaxies from CALIFA |
| title_full | Analysis of the Internal Radial Gradient of Chemical Abundances in Spiral Galaxies from CALIFA |
| title_fullStr | Analysis of the Internal Radial Gradient of Chemical Abundances in Spiral Galaxies from CALIFA |
| title_full_unstemmed | Analysis of the Internal Radial Gradient of Chemical Abundances in Spiral Galaxies from CALIFA |
| title_short | Analysis of the Internal Radial Gradient of Chemical Abundances in Spiral Galaxies from CALIFA |
| title_sort | analysis of the internal radial gradient of chemical abundances in spiral galaxies from califa |
| topic | Chemical abundances Galaxy bulges Galaxy chemical evolution H II regions Galaxy abundances Galaxy disks |
| url | https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ad9eab |
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