2012ApJ...753...39P

We present long-slit spectrophotometry of two H II galaxies: TOL 2146-391 and TOL 0357-3915. We performed a detailed analysis that involves abundance determinations relaxing the assumption of homogeneous temperature. The temperature inhomogeneity values, t ², were obtained through two methods: (1) comparing abundances from oxygen recombination lines to abundances from collisionally excited lines and (2) by using the line intensity ratios of a set of He I lines together with the HELIO10 program. We find that the HELIO10 program is a good alternative to obtain a t ² value in photoionized regions where recombination lines of heavy elements are not available. We have plotted 27 high- and low-metallicity H II regions in an oxygen degree of ionization versus t ² diagram; we find areas populated by H II regions and areas void of them; the physical characteristics of each area are discussed. In addition, an average t ² value can be determined for the objects in each area. We propose to use this < t ² > value for the cases where a direct measurement of t ² cannot be determined.