The absorbers toward CSO 118:: Superclustering at z ∼ 3, or an intrinsic absorption complex?

We present two low-resolution (R similar to 1300) high signal-to-noise ratio spectra (W-r,W-lim approximate to m Angstrom) of the quasar CSO 118 (Z(em) = 2.97) taken with the Hobby-Eberly Telescope Marcario Low-Resolution Spectrograph. We detect eight absorbers selected by the C IV lambda lambda 1548, 1550 absorption doublet in the redshift range, 2.23 less than or similar to z(abs) less than or similar to 2.97, seven of which are z(abs) greater than or similar to 2.68. In the redshift range covered by the seven z(abs) greater than or similar to 2.68 systems, one expects to find two absorbers. We discuss possible explanations for such an excess of absorbers in a small velocity range. Only superclustering at high redshift and absorption due to intrinsic gas are feasibly allowed.