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We study the ultraviolet (UV) emission-line ratios of a sample of 145 type II quasars (QSO2s) from Sloan Digital Sky Survey III Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey, and compare against a grid of active galactic nucleus (AGN) photoionization models with a range in gas density, gas chemical abundances, and ionization parameter. Most of the quasars are "carbon-loud", with Civ/He ii ratios that are unusually high for the narrow-line region, implying higher than expected gas density (>10^6 cm^-3) and/or signicantly super-Solar relative carbon abundance. We also find that solar or supersolar nitrogen abundance and metallicity are required in the majority of our sample, with potentially significant variation between objects. Compared to radio galaxies at similar redshifts (HzRGs; z > 2), the QSO2s are offset to higher NV/HeII, CIV/HeII and CIII]/HeII, suggesting systematically higher gas density and/or systematically higher C and N abundances. We find no evidence for a systematic difference in the N/C abundance ratio between the two types of objects. Scatter in the NIV]/CIV ratio implies a significant scatter in the N/C abundance ratio among the QSO2s and HzRGs, consistent with differences in the chemical enrichment histories between objects. Interestingly, we find that adopting secondary behaviour for both N and C alleviates the long-standing "NIV] problem". A subset of the QSO2s and HzRGs also appear to be "silicon-loud", with SiIII] relative fluxes suggesting Si/C and Si/O are an order of magnitude above their Solar values. Finally, we propose new UV-line criteria to select genuine QSO2s with low-density narrow-line regions., 44 pages, 31 figures, 9 Tables. Accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 2020. Published: 2020 May 18

We present an investigation of the properties of the extended Ly$��$ halo and the large-scale \ion{H}{I} absorbing structures associated with 5 high-redshift radio galaxies at z $>$ 2, using the Goodman long-slit spectrograph on the SOAR telescope, with the slit placed at large angles ($>$45$^{\circ}$) to the radio axis, to study regions that are unlikely to be illuminated by the active nucleus. Spatially extended Ly$��$ emission is detected with large line widths (FWHM = 1000 -- 2500 km s$^{-1}$), which although impacted by resonant scattering, is suggestive of turbulent motion. We find a correlation between higher blueshifts and higher FWHM, which is an indication that radial motion dominates the bulk gas dynamics perpendicular to the radio axis, although we are unable to distinguish between outflow and infall scenarios due to the resonant nature of the Ly$��$ line. Extended, blueshifted Ly$��$ absorption is detected in the direction perpendicular to the radio axis in three radio galaxies with minimum spatial extents ranging from $\gtrsim$27 kpc to $\gtrsim$35 kpc, supporting the idea that the absorbing structure covers the entire Ly$��$ halo, consistent with being part of a giant, expanding shell of gas enveloping the galaxy and its (detected) gaseous halo., 16 pages, 5 figures, 3 Tables. Accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 2018. Published: 2018 August 24

We present new spectroscopic observations of two high redshift radio galaxies, TXS 0211-122 (z=2.34) and TXS 0828+193 (z=2.57), known to be associated with large Ly$��$ halos. The observations were taken with the slits placed perpendicularly to the radio axis. With access to pre-existing Keck II observations taken with the slit placed along the radio axis we are able to compare the properties of the gas in different regions of the galaxies. In both objects we detect spatially extended Ly$��$ emission perpendicularly to the radio axis. In TXS 0211-122, the flux and velocity profiles of Ly$��$ are strongly affected by HI absorption/scattering. In line with previous studies, we find evidence for outflowing gas along the radio axis which may be the result of jet-gas interactions. In the slit oriented perpendicularly to the radio axis we find less perturbed gas kinematics, suggesting outflows of ionized gas in this object are focused along the radio jet axis. Additionally, we find evidence for a giant, UV-emitting arc or shell-like structure surrounding the radio galaxy Ly$��$ halo, possibly resulting from feedback activity. In TXS 0828+193 a large Ly$��$ halo ($\sim$56 kpc) is detected perpendicularly to the radio axis. Along both slit position angles we find evidence for outflowing gas, which we argue is part of an approximately spherical, expanding shell or bubble of gas powered by feedback activity in the central regions of the galaxy. Our results suggest a diversity in the spatial distribution of ionized outflows in powerful radio galaxies at z$\sim$2.5.

We present new spectroscopic observations of two high redshift radio galaxies, TXS 0211-122 (z=2.34) and TXS 0828+193 (z=2.57), known to be associated with large Ly$\alpha$ halos. The observations were taken with the slits placed perpendicularly to the radio axis. With access to pre-existing Keck II observations taken with the slit placed along the radio axis we are able to compare the properties of the gas in different regions of the galaxies. In both objects we detect spatially extended Ly$\alpha$ emission perpendicularly to the radio axis. In TXS 0211-122, the flux and velocity profiles of Ly$\alpha$ are strongly affected by HI absorption/scattering. In line with previous studies, we find evidence for outflowing gas along the radio axis which may be the result of jet-gas interactions. In the slit oriented perpendicularly to the radio axis we find less perturbed gas kinematics, suggesting outflows of ionized gas in this object are focused along the radio jet axis. Additionally, we find evidence for a giant, UV-emitting arc or shell-like structure surrounding the radio galaxy Ly$\alpha$ halo, possibly resulting from feedback activity. In TXS 0828+193 a large Ly$\alpha$ halo ($\sim$56 kpc) is detected perpendicularly to the radio axis. Along both slit position angles we find evidence for outflowing gas, which we argue is part of an approximately spherical, expanding shell or bubble of gas powered by feedback activity in the central regions of the galaxy. Our results suggest a diversity in the spatial distribution of ionized outflows in powerful radio galaxies at z$\sim$2.5.