The accretion/diffusion theory for lambda Bootis stars in the light of spectroscopic data

Abstract

Most of the current theories suggest the lambda Bootis phenomenon to originate from an interaction between the stellar surface and its local environment. In this paper, we compare the abundance pattern of the lambda Bootis stars to that of the interstellar medium and find larger deficiencies for Mg, Si, Mn and Zn than in the interstellar medium. A comparison with metal poor post-AGB stars showing evidence for circumstellar material indicates a similar physical process possibly being at work for some of the lambda Bootis stars, but not for all of them. Despite the fact that the number of spectroscopically analysed lambda Bootis stars has considerably increased in the past, a test of predicted effects with observations shows current abundance and temperature data to be still controversial.