Initial episodes of the chemical evolution of the intergalactic medium

Yu.A. Shchekinov^†^a, b, E.O. Vasiliev^‡^a, c, B.M. Shustov^§^c
^aLebedev Physical Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky prosp. 53, Moscow, 119991, Russian Federation
^bRaman Research Institute, C. V. Raman Avenue, Sadashiva Nagar, Bangalore, 560080, India
^cInstitute of Astronomy, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Pyatnitskaya 48, Moscow, 119017, Russian Federation

The current state of the problem of the origin and transport of 'heavy' (A>4) chemical elements in the Universe is discussed. The beginning of stellar nucleosynthesis (SNS) dates apparently to z≳ 20 redshift epochs (age of the Universe t_U ≲ 180 Myr). Presently, SNS traces are observed in some cases in galaxies at redshift z ∼ 10—15 (t_U∼ 500—270 Myr). A massive redistribution of chemical elements from galaxies over the entire Universe became possible, primarily under the action of powerful explosions, in the reionization period at z≲ 6 (t_U≳ 940 Myr). A correct interpretation of observational data requires an in-depth understanding of the transport and mixing dynamics of chemical elements in the Universe. Theoretical models predict their extremely nonuniform distribution in a range from the interstellar medium on spatial scales of a few hundred light years to the intergalactic medium spanning tens of millions of light years. This is observed in absorption spectra of quasars up to redshift z∼ 6 and results in observational selection. The review focuses on the early stages of the history of the Universe's chemical enrichment as it is currently understood given the observational selection effects. Observational data and theoretical ideas underlying the modern understanding of the complex process of the Universe's chemical evolution are outlined.

Keywords: Universe, intergalactic medium, galaxies, interstellar medium, chemical elements, transport
PACS: 26.30.−k, 95.30.Lz, 98.38.−j, 98.58.−w, 98.62.Ra (all)
DOI: 10.3367/UFNe.2022.12.039295
URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2023/11/a/
Web of Science

001131650500004
Scopus

2-s2.0-85182909921
ADS NASA

2023PhyU...66.1071S
Citation: Shchekinov Yu A, Vasiliev E O, Shustov B M "Initial episodes of the chemical evolution of the intergalactic medium" Phys. Usp. 66 1071–1094 (2023)

BibTexBibNote ® (generic)BibNote ® (RIS)MedlineRefWorks

Received: 26th, September 2022, revised: 6th, December 2022, accepted: 13th, December 2022

Оригинал: Щекинов Ю А, Васильев Е О, Шустов Б М «Начальные эпизоды химической эволюции межгалактической среды» УФН 193 1137–1161 (2023); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.2022.12.039295

References (341) Similar articles (20) ↓

Yu.A. Shchekinov, V.N. Lukash et al “Interstellar and intergalactic gas in the far IR and submillimeter spectral ranges” Phys. Usp. 60 961–993 (2017)
O.K. Sil’chenko “Empirical scenarios of galaxy evolution” Phys. Usp. 65 1224–1247 (2022)
A.D. Dolgov “Massive and supermassive black holes in the contemporary and early Universe and problems in cosmology and astrophysics” Phys. Usp. 61 115–132 (2018)
A.V. Zasov, A.S. Saburova et al “Dark matter in galaxies” Phys. Usp. 60 3–39 (2017)
M.S. Kirsanova, P.V. Baklanov et al “The origin and transport of water in the universe” Phys. Usp., accepted
L.S. Marochnik, A.A. Suchkov “The structure of spiral galaxies” Sov. Phys. Usp. 17 85–102 (1974)
N.I. Shakura, K.A. Postnov et al “Quasi-spherical subsonic accretion in X-ray pulsars” Phys. Usp. 56 321–346 (2013)
V.S. Beskin “Axisymmetric stationary flows in compact astrophysical objects” Phys. Usp. 40 659–688 (1997)
A.M. Miterev “Theoretical aspects of the formation and evolution of charged particle tracks” Phys. Usp. 45 1019–1050 (2002)
A.G. Kislyakov “Radioastronomical investigations in the millimeter and submillimeter bands” Sov. Phys. Usp. 13 495–521 (1971)
A.E. Salomonovich “Extra-atmospheric submillimeter astronomy” Sov. Phys. Usp. 12 731–742 (1970)
V.E. Panchuk, Yu.Yu. Balega et al “Study of exoplanets by spectroscopic methods” Phys. Usp. 63 562–582 (2020)
E.P. Popova “Current results on the asymptotics of dynamo models” Phys. Usp. 59 513–530 (2016)
B.M. Shustov, V.V. Busarev et al “New views on activity of asteroids: observations, models, forecasts” Phys. Usp., accepted
A.V. Tutukov, A.M. Cherepashchuk “Evolution of close binary stars: theory and observations” Phys. Usp. 63 209–244 (2020)
D.A. Dolgolenko, Yu.A. Muromkin “On separation of mixtures of chemical elements in plasma” Phys. Usp. 60 994–1017 (2017)
S.G. Rautian “Reflection and refraction at the boundary of a medium with negative group velocity” Phys. Usp. 51 981–988 (2008)
A.M. Fridman “Prediction and discovery of new structures in spiral galaxies” Phys. Usp. 50 115–139 (2007)
S.F. Shandarin, A.G. Doroshkevich, Ya.B. Zel’dovich “The large-scale structure of the universe” Sov. Phys. Usp. 26 46–76 (1983)
V.V. Uchaikin, A.D. Erlykin, R.T. Sibatov “Nonlocal (fractional-differential) model of cosmic ray transport in the interstellar medium” Phys. Usp. 66 221–262 (2023)

The list is formed automatically.