Evolution of the X-ray luminosity and metallicity of starburst blown superbubbles

We have modelled the evolution of hot superbubbles in starbursts, taking in to account the rapid changes in the chemical composition of the interior of the superbubbles resulting from the large stellar mass loss, i.e. stellar winds from massive young stars and type II supernovae. We have followed in detail the time-dependent production and mixing of oxygen and iron in the i nterior of the hot superbubbles and showed that while the oxygen abundance rapidly climbs to over solar values in less than 10 Myr, iron abundance rem ains always under solar. This highly enhanced oxygen metallicity boosts the early X-ray luminosity of superbubbles while keeping the iron abundance su bsolar. This brings theory and X-ray observations of the luminosity and met al content of young starbursts closer together.