Metallicity structure in X-ray bright galaxy groups

Abstract

Using Chandra X-ray data of a sample of 15 X-ray bright galaxy groups, we present preliminary results of a coherent study of the radial distribution of metal abundances in the hot gas in groups. The iron content in group outskirts is found to be lower than in clusters by a factor of ~2, despite showing mean levels in the central regions comparable to those of clusters. The abundance profiles are used to constrain the contribution from supernovae type Ia and II to the chemical enrichment and thermal energy of the intragroup medium at different group radii. The results suggest a scenario in which a substantial fraction of the chemical enrichment of groups took place in filaments prior to group collapse.