Abstract
We analyze the galactic H I content and nebular log (O/H) for 60 spiral
galaxies in the Moustakas et al. (2006a) spectral catalog. After
correcting for the mass-metallicity relationship, we show that the
spirals in cluster environments show a positive correlation for log
(O/H) on DEF, the galactic H I deficiency parameter, extending the
results of previous analyses of the Virgo and Pegasus I clusters.
Additionally, we show for the first time that galaxies in the field obey
a similar dependence. The observed relationship between H I deficiency
and galactic metallicity resembles similar trends shown by cosmological
simulations of galaxy formation including inflows and outflows. These
results indicate the previously observed metallicity-DEF correlation has
a more universal interpretation than simply a cluster's effects on its
member galaxies. Rather, we observe in all environments the stochastic
effects of metal-poor infall as minor mergers and accretion help to
build giant spirals.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 4 |
Journal | Astrophysical Journal |
Volume | 773 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 18 Jul 2013 |
Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)
- galaxies: abundances
- galaxies: evolution
- galaxies: spiral