Neutral hydrogen gas in galaxy clusters

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Neutral hydrogen gas plays a crucial role in the evolution of galaxies within clusters, influencing star formation rates and the processing of hydrogen into heavier elements. Most galaxies belong to clusters, with the Milky Way being part of the Local Group, while the Virgo Cluster is the nearest large cluster. The interactions within these clusters can significantly affect the star-formation activity of member galaxies, although the mechanisms remain poorly understood. Recent discussions suggest that cluster mergers may not decrease the amount of neutral hydrogen gas present, challenging previous assumptions about gas concentrations. Understanding these dynamics is essential for comprehending galaxy evolution in clustered environments.
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Neutral hydrogen gas in galaxy clusters

Most galaxies are members of a cluster, a grouping of several to thousands of galaxies. Our Milky Way, for example, is a member of the "Local Group," a set of about fifty galaxies whose other large member is the Andromeda galaxy about 2.3 million light-years away. The closest large cluster of galaxies to us is the Virgo Cluster, with about 2000 members; its center is about 50 million light-years away. The clustering of galaxies influences how any particular member galaxy will evolve, but what happens and how it happens are not well understood. The cluster's influences on the star-formation activity within its galaxies is a particularly interesting question because the star formation rate helps set the luminosity of a galaxy, its supernovae activity, and the processing of its hydrogen gas into heavier elements.

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"... implying that the cluster merger does not reduce the amount of the gas." (from link)
Is this particularly startling? Given H concentrations of order of "atom per cubic meter" that I grew up hearing as best guess?
 
This is great guess, but it seems there is no credible basis
 

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