Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Palynological dating and correlation of surface and subsurface sediments from Wardha valley coalfield, Maharashtra

  • Published:
Journal of the Geological Society of India

Abstract

42 genera of palynomorphs have been reported from the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the palynoflora from both open cast mine and bore holes viz., Ballarpur open cast mine, Durgapur open cast mine and Bore hole CMWNM-57 on barrier between Kawadi/Majri open cast and Hindustan Lalpeth Colliery from the Wardha valley coalfield of Wardha basin. Two palynoassemblages have been recorded i.e., an Upper Karharbari palynoassemblage comprising dominance of radial monosaccate genus Parasaccites and subdominance of nonstriate disaccate genus Scheuringipollenites and a Lower Barakar palynoassemblage consisting of dominance of Scheuringipollenites and subdominance of striate disaccates chiefly Faunipollenites, suggesting an Early Permian age (Late Sakmarian to Early Artinskian) to the sediments. It is further authenticated by the occurrence of palynotaxa viz., Crucisaccites, Caheniasaccites, Indotriradites and Tiwariasporis. Upper Karharbari Formation has been demarcated for the first time in lithologically designated Barakar Formations in Ballarpur, Durgapur, Majri and Hindustan Lalpeth Colliery while the sample 57/2 of bore hole CMWNM from Kawadi area may belong to the Kamthi Formation on the basis of pinkish yellowish coarse grained to medium grained sandstone. An attempt has been made to correlate these palynoassemblages with other Lower Gondwana basins of Early Permian affinity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Agashe, S.N. and Chitnis, S.R. (1970) Palynological investigation of coalseams of Lower Gondwana strata from Maharashtra, India-A preliminary report. Palynological Bull., v.VI(1), pp.6–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Agashe, S.N. and Chitnis, S.R. (1972) Palaeopalynology of a Permian coal seam from the Hindustan Lalpeth Colliery, Chandrapur Dist., Maharashtra, India. Seminar on Palaeopalynology and Indian Stratigraphy, pp.21–29.

  • Anand-prakash and Srivastava, Suresh, C. (1984) Miofloral studies of the Lower Gondwana sediments in Johilla coalfield, Madhya Pradesh, India. Palaeobotanist, v.32(3), pp.243–257.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, J.M. (1970) The biostratigraphy of the Permian and Triassic-Part 3. A review of the Gondwana Permian Palynology with particular reference to the northern Karoo Basin, South Africa. Mem. Bot. Surv. S. Africa, v.41, pp.1–67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Banerjee, M. and D’ Rozario, A. (1984). Occurrence of non-striate dominated Lower Permian (Barakar Formation) mioflora from two borehole samples of Hura coal Basin, Lalmatia Block, Rajmahal Coalfield, Bihar. In: R.M. Badve et. al. (Eds.), Proc. Xth Indian Coll. Micropal. and Stratigr. Pune (1982), pp.121–140.

  • Banerjee, M. and D’ Rozario, A. (1988) Palynostratigraphy and environment of deposition in the Lower Gondwana sediments of Chuperbita Coalfield, Rajmahal hills. Jour. Palaeontol. Soc. India, v.33, pp.73–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barrett, P.J. and Kyle, Rosemary, A. (1975) The Early Permian glacial beds of South Victoria Land and Darwin Maountains, Antarctica. In: K.S.W. Campbell (Ed.), Gondwana Geology. Australian National University Press, Canberra, Australia, pp.333–346.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bharadwaj, D.C. (1969) Lower Gondwana Formations. C.r. 6th int. Congr. Carb. Geol. and Statigr. Sheffield (1967). v.1, pp.255–278.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bharadwaj, D.C. (1970) Palynological subdivisions of the Gondwana sequence in India. Proc. II Int. Gondwana Symp. South Africa 1970, Pretoria, pp.531–536.

  • Bharadwaj, D.C. (1971) Palynostratigraphy of Lower Gondwana successions in India. Internat. Gondwana Symp., Ann. Aeol. Dept., AMU Aligarh, 5&6 (Spl. Issue 1970), pp.30–419.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bharadwaj, D.C. (1975) Palynology in biostratigraphy and palaeoecology of Indian Lower Gondwana Formations. Palaeobotanist, v.22, pp.150–157.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bharadwaj, D.C. and Anand-prakash. (1974) Palynostratigraphy of Lower Gondwana sediments from Umrer Quarry, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India. Geophytology, v. 4(2), pp.130–134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bharadwaj, D.C., Navale, G.K.B. and Anand-Prakash (1974) Palynostratigraphy and Petrology of lower Gondwana coals in Pench-Kanhan coalfield, Satpura Gondwana Basin, M.P., India. Geophytology, v.4(1), pp.7–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bharadwaj, D.C. and Srivastava, Suresh, C. (1969) Some new miospores from Barakar Stage, Lower Barakar Stage, Lower Gondwana India. Palaeobotanist, v.17(2), pp.220–229.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bharadwaj, D.C. and Srivastava, Suresh, C. (1973). Subsurface palynological succession in Korba Coalfield, Madhya Pradesh, India. Palaeobotanist, v.20(2), pp.137–151.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bharadwaj, D.C., Kar, R.K. and Navale, G.K.B. (1976) Palynostratigraphy of Lower Gondwana deposits in Parana and Maranhao basins, Brazil. Biol.Mem., v.1, pp.56–103.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bharadwaj, D.C. and Tripathi, A. (1978) A palynostratigraphic study of Lower Gondwana Sediments from South Karanpura coalfield, Bihar, India. Palaeobotanist, v.25, pp.39–61.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhattacharrya, A.P. (1997) Palynological recognition of the Karharbari-Barakar Formations in the sub-surface sediments ofWardha Coalfield, Maharashtra, India. Palaeobotanist, v.46(1, 2), pp.217–219.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, H.J, Mortimer, N. and Raine, J.I. (2001) Geology of the Permian Kuriwao Group, Murihiku terrane, Southland, New Zealand. New Zealand Jour. Geol. Geophys., v.44, pp.485–500.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, T.W.H. (1877) TheWardhaValley Coalfield. Mem. Geol. Surv. India, v.13(1), pp.1–154.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jha, Neerja. (2006) Permian Palynology from India and Africa-A Phytogeographical Paradigm. Jour. Palaeont. Soc. of India, v.51(1), pp.43–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jha, Neerja, Rajni Tewari and Rajnikanth, A. (2007) Palynology of Permian Gondwana Sequence of Umrer Coalfield, Maharashtra. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.69, pp.851–857.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kar, R. and Srivastava, Suresh, C. (2003) Palynological delimitation of the Coal bearing lower Gondwana sediments in the Southern Parts of Tatapani Ramkola Coalfield, Chattisgarh, India. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v. 1, pp.557–564.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kyle, R.A. and Schopf, J.M. (1982) Permian and Triassic palynostratigraphy of the Victoria group, Trans Antarctic Mountains. In: Craddock (Ed.), Antarctic Geoscience. Univ. Wisconsin Press, Madison, pp.649–659.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahesh, S., Pauline, Sabina, K. and Mahesh Bilwa, L. (2008). Permian sediments from the subsurface sediments of Lower Gondwana of Wardha Valley Coalfield, Maharashtra, India. Gondwana Geol. Magz., v.23(1), pp.63–67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Masood, K.R., Taylor, T.N., Horner, T. and Taylor, E.L. (1994) Palynology of the Mackellaar Formation (Beacon Supergroup) of East Antarctica. Rev. Palaeobot. Palynol., v.83, pp.329–337.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miriam Cazzulo-Klepzig, Maria Elice Dias-Fabricio and Marleni Marques-Toigo. (1982). Palynological characterization of rocks associated to the coal seams of Santa Rita Coal field, Rio Bonito & Palmero formations, Parana Basin, Permian Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil. III Congresso Geologico Chileno, pp.65–83.

  • Pauline Sabina, K., Mahesh Bilwa, L. and Mahesh, S. (2008) A palynological study of the Lower Gondwana sediments of Umrer coalfield of Wardha Basin, Central India. Proc.V Int. Conf. on Environmental Micropalaeontology, Microbiology and Meiobenthology. Univ. of Madras, pp.239–244.

  • Raja Rao, C.S. (1982) Coalfields of India. Vol. II, Coal resources of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Maharashtra, Bull. Geol. Surv. India, Series A., No.45, pp.62–100.

  • Sarate, O.S. (1985) A Karharbari mioflora from the Kamptee Coalfield, Maharashtra State, India. Geophytology, v.15(2), pp.227–230.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarate, O.S. (1986) Palynological correlation of the coal seams of Pathakhera Coalfield, Madhya Pradesh, India. Geophytology, v.16(2), pp.239–248.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schopf, J.M. and Askin, R.A. (1980) Permian and Triassic floral biostratigraphic Zones of Southern land masses. In: S. Dilcher and T.N. Taylor (Eds.), Biostratigraphy of fossil plants. Dowde Hutchinson Ross, Inc. Pennsylvania, pp.119–152.

    Google Scholar 

  • Srivastava, Suresh, C. (1973) Palynostratigraphy of the Giridih Coalfield. Geophytology, v.3(2), pp.184–194.

    Google Scholar 

  • Srivastava, Suresh, C. (1992) Permian palynological assemblages in the Godavari Graben. Palaeobotanist, v.40, pp.237–243.

    Google Scholar 

  • Srivastava, Suresh, C. and Anand-Prakash (1984) Palynological succession of the Lower Gondwana sediments in Umaria Coalfield, Madhya Pradesh. Palaeobotanist, v.32(1), pp.26–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Srivastava, Suresh, C. and Jha, Neerja (1989) Palynostratigraphy of Lower Gondwana sediments in Godavari Graben, Andhra Pradesh, India. Palaeobotanist, v. 37(22), pp. 199–209.

    Google Scholar 

  • Srivastava, Suresh, C. and Jha, Neerja. (1992) Permian palynostratigraphy in Ramakrishnapuram Area, Godavari graben, Andhra Pradesh, India. Geophytology, v.20(2), pp.83–95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Srivastava, S.C. and Jha, Neerja (1992a) Palynostratigraphy of Permian sediments in Manuguru area, Godavari Graben, Andhra Pradesh. Geophytology, v.22, pp.103–110.

    Google Scholar 

  • Srivastava, Suresh, C. and Jha, Neerja (1995) Palynostratigraphy and correlation of Permian-Triassic sediments in Budharam Area, Godavari Graben. India. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.46, pp.647–653.

    Google Scholar 

  • Srivastava, S.C. and Jha, Neerja (1995a) Palynology of subsurface Permian sediments in Koyagudem area, Godavari Graben, Andhra Pradesh. Geophytology, v.25, pp.131–136.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tiwari, R.S. (1971). Sporological succession in Kota and Tura seams, Singrauli coalfield (M.P), India. Palaeobotanist, v.18(3), pp.264–269.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tiwari, R.S. (1973) Palynological succession in the Barakar type area. Geophytology, v.3(2), pp.166–183.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tiwari, R.S., Srivastava, S.C., Tripathi, A. and Singh, V. (1981) Palynostratigraphy of Lower Gondwana sediments in Jharia Coalfield, Bihar. Geophytology, v.11(2), pp.220–237.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tiwari, R.S. and Tripathi, A. (1988) Palynological zones and their climatic inference in the coal bearing Gondwana and Peninsular India. Palaeobotanist, v.36, pp.7–101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tiwari, R.S. and Tripathi, A. (1992). Marker assemblage zones of spores and pollen species through Gondwana Palaeozoic and Mesozoic sequence in India. Palaeobotanist, v.40, pp.194–236.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tripathi, A. (1993) Palynosequence in Subsurface Permian sediments in Talcher Coalfield, Orissa. Geophytology, v.23(1), pp.99–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trivedi, B.S. and Ambwani, K. (1984) Palynology of the Pench-Kanhan Valley Coalfield (Lower Gondwana), Madhya Pradesh, India with reference to its age. In: A.K. Sharma, G.C. Mitra and M. Banerjee, M. (Eds.), Proc. Symp. Evolutionary Botany and Biostratigraphy Calcutta 1979, Today and Tomorrow’s Printers and Publishers, New Delhi, India, pp.291–302.

    Google Scholar 

  • Truswell, E.M. (1980) Permo-Carboniferous palynology of Gondwanaland: Progress and problems in the decade to 1980. BMR Jour. Australian Geol. Geophys., v.5, pp.95–111.

    Google Scholar 

  • Utting, J. (1978) Lower Karroo pollen and spore assemblages from the coal measures and underlying sediments of the Siankondobo coalfield, Mid-Zambesi Valley, Zambia. Palynology, v.2, pp.53–68.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53, University Road, Lucknow, 226 007, India

    Neerja Jha, Pauline Sabina, K. Rajni Tewari & N. C. Mehrotra

Authors
  1. Neerja Jha
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Pauline Sabina
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. K. Rajni Tewari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. N. C. Mehrotra
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Pauline Sabina.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Jha, N., Sabina, P., Rajni Tewari, K. et al. Palynological dating and correlation of surface and subsurface sediments from Wardha valley coalfield, Maharashtra. J Geol Soc India 77, 137–148 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-011-0017-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-011-0017-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation