Infrared spectra of protostars - Composition of the dust shells

Nearly complete 2 to 13 micron spectra are presented for 13 compact infrared sources associated with molecular clouds, along with partial spectra of six additional objects. The spectra are found to resemble blackbodies with superposed absorption features from 2.8 to 3.5 microns, at 6.0 and 6.8 microns, and in the silicate band centered near 9.7 microns. Correlations among the features are investigated in an attempt to confirm possible identifications. A good correlation between the deepest part of the absorption at 3.1 microns, its long wavelength wing, and the 6.0 micron features suggests that all may derive from large amorphous water ice particles. The relatively poor correlation between the 3.4 and 6.8 micron optical depths adds no evidence in support of the suggestion that these bands may be due to CH bonds