1996A&A...316...33W

We present results from 12km/s resolution echelle spectroscopy of the bright z=4.694 QSO BR 1202-0725. A preliminary analysis shows that high metallicity narrow line absorption clouds are present up to the redshift of the quasar. A damped Lyα system with an H I column density of 3.1x10²⁰cm^–2 at z=4.383 has an [O/H] ratio that is about 0.01 solar, while another absorption system with an H I column density of 5.0x10¹⁶cm^–2 at z=4.672, may have an O/H ratio that is twice solar. An upper limit, or the possible detection of deuterium in this absorption cloud gives a D/H ratio of about 1.5x10^–4. Because this cloud is metal rich at least some of the cloud gas has been processed after the beginning of the Universe.