Skip to main content
Log in

Lithium Depletion in the Sun: A Study of Mixing Based on Hydrodynamical Simulations

  • Published:
Space Science Reviews Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Based on radiation hydrodynamics modeling of stellar convection zones, a diffusion scheme has been devised describing the downward penetration of convective motions beyond the Schwarzschild boundary (overshoot) into the radiative interior. This scheme of exponential diffusive overshoot has already been successfully applied to AGB stars. Here we present an application to the Sun in order to determine the time scale and depth extent of this additional mixing, i.e. diffusive overshoot at the base of the convective envelope. We calculated the associated destruction of lithium during the evolution towards and on the main-sequence. We found that the slow-mixing processes induced by the diffusive overshoot may lead to a substantial depletion of lithium during the Sun's main-sequence evolution.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alexander, D.R. and Ferguson, J.W.: 1994, ‘Low-temperature Rosseland opacities', ApJ 437, 879–891.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Anders, E. and Grevesse, N.: 1989, ‘Abundances of the elements: Meteoritic and solar', Geochim Cosmochim. Acta 53, 197–214.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Blöcker, T.: 1995, ‘Stellar evolution of low and intermediate mass stars: I. Mass loss on the AGB and its consequences for stellar evolution', A&A 297, 727–738.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Blöcker, T.: 1998, ‘Theory of AGB evolution', Space Science Reviews, in press.

  • Bochsler, P, Geiss, J. and Maeder, A.: 1990, ‘The abundance of He-3 in the solar wind — A constraint for models of solar evolution', Solar Phys. 128, 203–215.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Böhm-Vitense, E.: 1958, ‘Über die Wasserstoffkonvektionszone in Sternen verschiedener Effek tivtemperaturen und Leuchtkrafte', Z. f. Astrophys. 46, 108–143.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Chaboyer, B.: 1998, ‘Internal rotation, mixing and lithium abundances', in IAU Symp. 185, New Eyes to See Inside the Sun and Stars, in press.

  • Delyannis, C.P. and Pinsonneault, M.H: 1997, ‘110 Herculis: A Possible Prototype for Simultaneous Lithium and Beryllium Depletion, and Implications for Stellar Interiors’ ApJ 488, 836–840.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Herwig, F., Blöcker, T., Schönberner, D. and El Eid, M.: 1997, ‘Stellar evolution of low and intermediate mass stars: IV. Hydrodynamically-based overshoot and nucleosynthesis in AGB stars’ A&A 324, L81-L84.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Freytag, B., Ludwig, H.-G. and Steffen, M.: 1996, ‘Hydrodynamical models of stellar convection The role of overshoot in DA white dwarfs, A-type stars, and the Sun', A&A 313, 497–516.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Iglesias, C.A. and Rogers, F.J.: 1996, ‘Updated Opal Opacities', ApJ 464, 943–953.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Iglesias, C.A., Rogers, F.J., and Wilson, B.G.: 1992, ‘Spin-orbit interaction effects on the Rossclane mean opacity', ApJ 397, 717–728.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, B.F., Fischer, D., Shetrone, M., Soderblom, D.R.: 1997, ‘The evolution of the lithium abundances of solar-type stars', AJ 114, 352–362.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Langer, N., Fricke, K.J., and El Eid, M.: 1985, ‘Evolution of massive stars with semiconvective diffusion’ A&A 145, 179–191.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Martin, C.L. and Claret, A.: 1996 ‘Stellar models with rotation: an exploratory application to premain sequence Lithium Depletion', A&A 306, 408–416.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Michaud, G.: 1986, ‘The lithium abundance gap in the Hyades F stars — The signature of diffusion', ApJ 302, 650–655.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Pinsonneault, M.H.: 1997 ‘Mixing in stars', ARA&A 35, 557–605.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Pinsonneault, M.H., Deliyannis, C.P., Demarque, P.: 1992 ‘Evolutionary models of halo stars with rotation: II.Effects of metallicity on lithium depletion, and possible implications for the primordial lithium abundance’ ApJS 78, 179–203.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Press, W.H.: 1981, ‘Radiative and other effects from internal waves in solar and stellar interiors', ApJ 245, 286–303.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Stephens, A., Boesgaard, A.M., King, J.R. and Deliyannis, C.P.: 1997, ‘Beryllium in Lithium-deficient F and G Stars', ApJ 491, 339–358.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Schramm, D.N., Steigmann, G., Dearborn, D.S.P.: 1992, ‘Main-sequence mass loss and the lithium dip’ ApJ 359, L55-L58.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Zahn, J.-P.: 1992, ‘Circulation and turbulence in rotating stars', A&A 265, 115–132.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Blöcker, T., Holweger, H., Freytag, B. et al. Lithium Depletion in the Sun: A Study of Mixing Based on Hydrodynamical Simulations. Space Science Reviews 85, 105–112 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005192804708

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005192804708

Keywords

Navigation