ISM ENRICHMENT AND LOCAL POLLUTION IN DWARF GALAXIES

The fate of metals after they are released in starburst episodes is still unclear. What phases of the interstellar medium are involved, and in which timescales? Evidence has grown over the past few years that the neutral phase of blue compact dwarf (BCD) galaxies may be metal-deficient as compared to the ionized gas of their H it regions. These results have strong implications for our understanding of the chemical evolution of galaxies. We review here the main results and the main caveats in the metal abundance determination from far-UV absorption-lines. We also discuss possible scenarios concerning the journey of metals into the interstellar medium.