Title:The Cosmic Baryon and Metal Cycles

Abstract: Characterising the relationship between stars, gas, and metals in galaxies is a critical component of understanding the cosmic baryon cycle. This review compiles contemporary censuses of the baryons in collapsed structures and their chemical make-up and dust content. The HI mass density of the Universe as well as new observations of molecular hydrogen together provide fresh clues on the cosmic cold gas depletion timescale and the cause of the star-formation history decline at low-redshift. The census of the metals in various phases from z=0 to z~5 permits to revisit the 20-year old “missing metals problem”. Lastly, I will present new calculations of the cosmological dust mass density in the neutral gas up to z~5. Together, the cosmic evolution of baryons, metals, and dust is —in the broadest strokes— now fairly secure.

Host: Rongmon Bordoloi