Abstract
We present a study of the [α/Fe-peak] and [N/α] abundance ratios in Damped Lyα (DLA) systems. By using ratios of undepleted elements ([S/Zn] and [N/S]) or when abundances of refractory elements are corrected by dust depletion ([Si/Fe]corr), the resulting ratios do not resemble those observed in the Galactic metal-poor stars, showing instead similarities with those ratios observed in dwarf galaxies. These results challenge the idea that these absorbers are the progenitors of the present-day spiral galaxies, and suggest an origin in low-mass galaxies for the systems up to now investigated.
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Centurión, M., Bonifacio, P., Molaro, P. et al. On the Nature of Damped LYα Systems: Clues from Determinations of Elemental Abundance Ratios. Astrophysics and Space Science 263, 79–82 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1002132011277
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1002132011277