XMM-Newton observations of 19 galaxy clusters are used to measure the
elemental abundances and their spatial distributions in the intracluster
medium. The sample mainly consists of X-ray bright and relaxed clusters with a
cD galaxy. Along with detailed Si, S and Fe radial abundance distributions
within 300-700 kpc in radius, the O abundances are accurately derived in the
central region of the clusters. The Fe abundance maxima towards the cluster
center, possibly due to the metals from the cD galaxy,are spatially resolved.
The Si and S abundances also exhibit central increases in general, resulting in
uniform Fe-Si-S ratios within the cluster. In contrast, the O abundances are in
general uniform over the cluster. The mean O to Fe ratio within the cluster
core is sub-solar, while that of the cluster scale is larger than the solar
ratio. These measurements indicate that most of the Fe-Si-S and O in the
intracluster medium have different origins, presumably in supernovae Ia and II,
respectively. The obtained Fe and O mass are also used to discuss the past star
formation history in clusters.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysic