Insights on the stellar mass-metallicity relation from the califa survey

DOI: 
10.1088/2041-8205/791/1/L16
Publication date: 
10/08/2014
Main author: 
González Delgado R.M.
IAA authors: 
González Delgado R.M.;García-Benito R.;Pérez E.;Cortijo-Ferrero C.;López Fernández R.;Sánchez S.F.;Del Olmo A.;Vílchez J.M.
Authors: 
González Delgado R.M., Cid Fernandes R., García-Benito R., Pérez E., De Amorim A.L., Cortijo-Ferrero C., Lacerda E.A.D., López Fernández R., Sánchez S.F., Vale Asari N., Alves J., Bland-Hawthorn J., Galbany L., Gallazzi A., Husemann B., Bekeraite S., Jungwiert B., López-Sánchez A.R., De Lorenzo-Cáceres A., Marino R.A., Mast D., Mollá M., Del Olmo A., Sánchez-Blázquez P., Van De Ven G., Vílchez J.M., Walcher C.J., Wisotzki L., Ziegler B.
Journal: 
Astrophysical Journal Letters
Publication type: 
Article
Volume: 
791
Pages: 
Number: 
L16
Abstract: 
We use spatially and temporally resolved maps of stellar population properties of 300 galaxies from the CALIFA integral field survey to investigate how the stellar metallicity (Z *) relates to the total stellar mass (M *) and the local mass surface density (μ*) in both spheroidal- and disk-dominated galaxies. The galaxies are shown to follow a clear stellar mass-metallicity relation (MZR) over the whole 109-1012 M⊙ range. This relation is steeper than the one derived from nebular abundances, which is similar to the flatter stellar MZR derived when we consider only young stars. We also find a strong relation between the local values of μ* and Z * (the μZR), betraying the influence of local factors in determining Z *. This shows that both local (μ*-driven) and global (M *-driven) processes are important in determining metallicity in galaxies. We find that the overall balance between local and global effects varies with the location within a galaxy. In disks, μ* regulates Z *, producing a strong μZR whose amplitude is modulated by M *. In spheroids it is M * that dominates the physics of star formation and chemical enrichment, with μ* playing a minor, secondary role. These findings agree with our previous analysis of the star formation histories of CALIFA galaxies, which showed that mean stellar ages are mainly governed by surface density in galaxy disks and by total mass in spheroids. © 2014. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.
Database: 
WOK
SCOPUS
ADS
URL: 
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/#abs/2014ApJ...791L..16G/abstract
ADS Bibcode: 
2014ApJ...791L..16G
Keywords: 
galaxies: evolution; galaxies: fundamental parameters; galaxies: stellar content; galaxies: structure