Molecular line study of infrared dark clouds

Submillimeter and millimeter-wave studies performed over the past 15yr show that IRDCs possess a broad variety of properties, and hence a wide range of problems and questions that can be tackled. In this paper, we report an investigation of the molecular composition and chemical processes in two groups of IRDCs.

Using the Mopra, APEX, and IRAM radio telescopes over the last four years, we have collected molecular line data for CO, H_2_CO, HNCO, CH_3_CCH, CH_3_OH, CH_3_CHO, CH_3_OCHO, and CH_3_OCH_3_. For all of these species we estimated molecular abundances. We then undertook chemical modeling studies, concentrating on the source IRDC028.34+0.06, and compared observed and modeled abundances.