Multiple velocity components in the CIV absorption line of NGC 5548

We have observed the much-studied Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 5548 with the Goddar d High-Resolution Spectrograph (GHRS) on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Our 14 ks observation covers the C IV emission line at a resolution of grea ter than 20,000. Our purpose was to study the absorption line found at lowe r resolution by IUE and the HST Faint Object Spectrograph. We found that th e C IV absorption line resolves into six separate doublets with equivalent widths of 0.07-0.38 Angstrom. The absorption lines have blueshifts relative to the systemic velocity of the galaxy of 380-1250 km s(-1), except for on e, which has a redshift of 250 km s(-1), suggesting both inflow and outflow . The inflowing component may be related to the accretion flow into the nuc lear black hole. All the doublet lines are resolved by the GHRS. Three doub lets are narrow, with FWHM less than or similar to 100 km s(-1), and three are broad, FWHM similar to 160-290 km s(-1). We find evidence of partial co vering by the narrow absorption lines. Either (but not both) of the two str ongest broad doublets could be from the same material that produces the X-r ay ionized absorber seen in soft X-rays. The remaining five systems must be at least 10 times less ionized (and so of lower total column density) to r emain consistent with the X-ray spectra.