Metallicity gradient across the Hubble sequence

Using Schwarzschild dynamical models, we also explore the link between a galaxy's local stellar populations and their orbital structures. We find that galaxies' angular momentum and metallicity gradients show no obvious causal link. This suggests that metallicity gradients in the inner disc are not strongly shaped by radial migration, which is confirmed by the lack of correlation between the metallicity gradients and observable probes of radial migration in the galaxies, such as bars and spiral arms.

Finally, we find that galaxies with positive metallicity gradients become increasingly common towards low mass and late morphological types - consistent with stellar feedback more efficiently modifying the baryon cycle in the central regions of these galaxies.