Understanding the Effect of Environment on Chemical Evolution of Star-forming Galaxies

Abstract: 

The debate between nature versus nurture is still not over regarding the chemical evolution of cluster galaxies. In this talk, I will present our observations of a cluster-scale gradient in the metallicity of star-forming galaxies as a complementary method to discern the impact of environment on chemical evolution. Our observations for MACS J1115+0129 show that cluster galaxies near the cluster center are more metal-rich compared to galaxies in the cluster outskirts. Using a semi-analytic model of ram pressure stripping, we prove that removal of low-metallicity gas is not sufficient to reproduce the metallicity gradient. I will also present our recent results from IllustrisTNG simulations predicting the pre-processing of metals in groups before they merge into a galaxy cluster.