Column densities of CGM absorption lines

(2) CGM metallicities are independent of halo mass, spanning three orders of magnitude at a fixed halo mass. (3) The CGM metallicity does not depend on the galaxy azimuthal and inclination angles regardless of HI column density, impact parameter, and galaxy color. (4) The ionization parameter does not depend on azimuthal angle.

We suggest that the partial Lyman limit metallicity bimodality is not driven by a spatial azimuthal bimodality. Our results are consistent with simulations where the CGM is complex and outflowing, accreting, and recycled gas are well-homogenized at z<0.7. The presence of low-metallicity gas at all orientations suggests that cold streams of accreting filaments are not necessarily aligned with the galaxy plane at low redshifts or intergalactic transfer may dominate.

Finally, our results support simulations showing that strong metal absorption can mask the presence of low-metallicity gas in integrated line-of-sight CGM metallicities.