  Charmonium production and absorption in heavy ion collisions is studied with
the Ultrarelativisitic Quantum Molecular Dynamics model. We compare the
scenario of universal and time independent color-octet dissociation cross
sections with one of distinct color-singlet J/psi, psi' and chi_c states,
evolving from small, color transparent configurations to their asymptotic
sizes. The measured J/psi production cross sections in pA and AB collisions at
SPS energies are consistent with both - purely hadronic - scenarios. The
predicted rapidity dependence of J/psi suppression can be used to discriminate
between the two experimentally. The importance of interactions with secondary
hadrons and the applicability of thermal reaction kinetics to J/psi absorption
are investigated. We discuss the effect of nuclear stopping and the role of
leading hadrons. The dependence of the psi' to J/psi ratio on the model
assumptions and the possible influence of refeeding processes is also studied.
