On the use of forbidden lines as density diagnostics in stratified media

The influence of density and ionization gradients on the observed density-sensitive forbidden-line ratios from a spatially unresolved source is investigated by means of a simple model. In order to assess the role played by the source geometry, both spherical and cylindrical systems where all spatial dependences are given by power laws are considered. It is shown that the present ratios can be used to estimate the spatial dependence of density and ionization as well as the source geometry.