def _fill_abuns(self, mesh=None, abun=0.0):
        """
        TODO: add documentation
        """
        logger.debug("{}._fill_abuns".format(self.component))

        if mesh is None:
            mesh = self.mesh

        # TODO: support from frontend

        mesh.update_columns(abuns=abun)

        if not self.needs_recompute_instantaneous:
            logger.debug("{}._fill_abuns: copying abuns to standard mesh".format(self.component))
            theta = 0.0
            self._standard_meshes[theta].update_columns(abuns=abun)