Abstract

We explore the connection between dust and star formation, in the context of environmental effects on galaxy evolution. In particular, we exploit the susceptibility of dust to external processes to assess the influence of dense environment on star-forming galaxies. We have selected cluster Abell 1758 from the Local Cluster Substructure Survey (LoCuSS). Its complex dynamical state is an ideal test-bench to track dust removal and destruction in galaxies due to merger and accretion shocks. We present a systematic panchromatic study (from 0.15 mu m with GALEX to 500 mu m with Herschel) of spectroscopically confirmed star-forming cluster galaxies at intermediate redshift. We observe that the main subclusters (A1758N and A1758S) belong to two separate large-scale structures, with no overlapping galaxy members. Star forming cluster members are found preferentially outside cluster central regions, and are not isotropically distributed. Rather, these galaxies appear being funneled towards the main subclusters along separate accretion paths. Additionally, we present the first study of dust-to-stellar (DTS) mass ratio used as an indicator for local environmental influence on galaxy evolution. Star-forming cluster members show lower mean values (32 per cent at 2.4 sigma) of DTS mass ratio and lower levels of infrared emission from birth clouds with respect to coeval star-forming field galaxies. This picture is consistent with the majority of star-forming cluster members infalling in isolation. Upon accretion, star formation is observed to decrease and warm dust is destroyed due to heating from the intracluster medium radiation, ram-pressure stripping, and merger shocks.