Abundances of C, N, O, and other elements in the atmospheres of the δ Scuti variables 14 Aur, δ Sct, and HD 127986

Abstract

Using high-resolution spectra, we have determined the abundances of carbon (logε(C)), nitrogen (logε(N)), oxygen (logε(O)), silicon (logε(Si)), sulphur (logε(S)), and some other elements for three δ Scuti stars. Logε(C) for all three stars and logε(N) for δ Sct and HD 127986 are close to the solar values, while there appears to be a slight (0.15 dex) nitrogen deficiency for 14 Aur. The logε(O) values correspond to a 0.30-dex deficiency for 14 Aur and δ Sct and a 0.20-dex deficiency for HD 127986. The values of logε(Si) for the three stars are close to solar, and the logε(S) values indicate a slight deficiency (0.10 dex) for 14 Aur and HD 127986 and a 0.20-dex excess for δ Sct. Comparison of the elemental abundances for seven δ Scuti stars with those for Am stars shows that the mean deficiencies of C, N, and O are smaller for pulsating δ Scuti stars than for Am stars with similar effective temperatures. The sulphur abundances are virtually the same for both types of stars.