Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Floral Diversity of South Karanpura Basin, Jharkhand, India and their Palaeoclimatic Implication with Special Reference to Palaeoenvironment

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of the Geological Society of India

Abstract

The palaeofloristic study of Gondwana sediments recovered from Religara area, South Karanpura Basin illustrates the macrofloral diversity in the area. Three distinct megafloral assemblages I, II, III are reported from freshly exposed coaly shale and carbonaceous shale layers of lower Barakar, upper Barakar and Raniganj formations of the basin. The assemblage comprises 72 species and thirteen genera of which 28 are newly reported species, which clearly exemplifies the macrofloral diversity over Permian Period in the studied area. The retrieved floral assemblages justified the existence of two interrelated ecosystems i.e., terrestrial and marshy. A gradual shifting of leaf morphology in reticulate leaves of order Glossopteridales illustrates biostratigraphic age as well as the shifting of climate during the deposition of sediments. The dominance of narrow mesh Glossopteris flora with the presence of typical Karharbari flora in the lowermost fossil horizon, illustrating the biostratigraphic age as late Artinskian (lower Barakar Formation). Likewise, the middle and upper floristic zones are dominated by Glossopteris of intermediate mesh form and broad mesh form suggesting biostratigraphic age as Kungurian (upper Barakar) and Wordian-Changhsingian (Raniganj) respectively. Deposition of in- situ Vertebraria depicts the autochthonous coal deposits and existence of some patches of palaeosol in the investigated location. The present investigation aims to infer the biostratigraphy, palaeoclimate, palaeoenvironment, palaeovegetational reconstruction of the basin during late Artinskian–Kungurian and Wordian- Changhsingian times.

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

  • Bajpai, U. and Singh, S.M. (1999) On an enigmatic fossil plant from the Early Permian of South Karanpura Coalfield, India. Palaeobotanist, v.48, pp.137–140

    Google Scholar 

  • Banerjee, J., Maheshwari, H.K. and Bose, M.N. (1976) Some plant fossils from the Gopad River near Nidpur, Sidhi District, Madhya Pradesh. Palaeobotanist, v.23(1), pp.59–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brongniart, A. (1828) Histoire des Vegetaux Fossiles, ou Recherches Botaniques et Geologiques. G. Dufour et Ed D’Ocagne, Paris.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bunbury, C.J.F. (1861) Notes on a collection of fossil plants from Nagpur, Central India. Quart. Jour. Geol. Soc. London, v.17, pp.325–346.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chandra, S. and Chandra, A. (1987) (Issued in 1988) Vegetational changes and their climatic implications in coal-bearing Gondwana. Palaeobotanist, v.36, pp.74–86.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chandra, S. and Srivastava, A.K. (1982) Plant fossils from the Talchir and the coal bearing formations of South Rewa Gondwana Basin, India and their biostratigraphical significance. Palaeobotanist, v.30(2), pp.143–167.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chandra, S. and Surange, K.R. (1979) Revision of the Indian species of Glossopteris. Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Monograph. v.2, pp.1–301.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feistmantel, O. (1876) Fossil flora in India. Jour. Asia. Soc. Bengal, v.45(2), pp.1–329.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feistmantel, O. (1878) Palaozoische und mesozoische Flora desostlichen Australiens. Palaeontographica Suppl. III, v.3, pp.187–189.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feistmantel, O. (1879) The fossil flora of the Lower Gondwanas-1. The flora of the Talchir-Karharbari beds. Mem. Geol. Surv. India Palaeont. Indica Ser., v.12(3), pp.1–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feistmantel, O. (1881) The fossil flora of the Gondwana System-3 (Lower Gondwanas) The flora of the Damuda and Panchet divisions. Mem. Geol. Surv. India Palaeont. Indica Ser., v.12(3), pp.1–154.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feistmantel, O. (1890) Coal and plant bearing beds of Palaeozoic and Mesozoic in Eastern Australia and Tasmania with special reference to fossil flora. Mem. Geol. Surv. New South Wales Palaeont., v.3, pp.1–183.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goswami, S. and Singh, K.J. (2010) Occurrences of gymnosperms from Lower Gondwana formations of Ib River Coalfield, Orissa and their environmental significance. Jour. Palaeont. Soc. India, v.55, pp.121–135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goswami, S. (2002) Studies on geology and Palaeontology of Gondwana sequences in Ib River Coalfield, Orissa, India and their biostratigraphic significance (PhD thesis, 1–282), Utkal University, Bhubaneswar.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goswami, S. (2004) Biodiversity in Indian Gondwana: A Kaleidoscopic Review. Minetech, v.25(6), pp.23–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Goswami, S. (2006) Record of Lower Gondwana megafloral assemblage from Lower Kamthi Formation of Ib River Coalfield, Mahanadi Basin, Orissa, India. Jour. Biosci., v.31, pp.115–128.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goswami, S. (2007a) Palynological resolution of Permian sequence in Ib River Coalfield and remarks on environment. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.70, pp.131–143.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goswami, S. (2007b) A study on the biodiversity of the Gondwana period in Orissa based on the palaeontological studies of major Gondwana basins (DSc thesis, 1–369), Utkal University, Bhubaneswar.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goswami, S. (2008) Marine influence and incursion in the Gondwana basins of Orissa, India: A review. Palaeoworld, v.17(1), pp.21–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goswami, S., Das, K., Sahoo, M., Bal, S., Pradhan, S., Singh, K.J. and Saxena, A. (2018b) Biostratigraphy and floristic evolution of coal swamp floras of a part of Talcher basin, India: a window on a Permian temperate ecosystem. Arab. Jour. Geosci., v.11(17), pp.524.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goswami, S., Sahoo, M., Patel, R. Tripathy, G. and Singh, KJ. (2022) Record of scale leaves from Lower Kamthi Formation of Talcher Basin, Odisha, India. Geophytology, v.50, pp.127–134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goswami, S., Saxena, A., Singh, K.J., Chandra, S. and Cleal, C.J. (2018a) An appraisal of the Permian palaeobiodiversity and geology of Ib River Basin, eastern coastal area, India. Jour. Asian Earth Sci., v.157, pp.283–301.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goswami, S. and Singh, K.J. (2013) Floral diversity and geology of Talcher Basin, Orissa, India during the Permian-Triassic interval. Geol. Jour., v.48(1), pp.39–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goswami, S., Singh, K.J., and Chandra, S. (2006a) Palaeobotany of Gondwana basins of Orissa, India: A bird’s eye view. Jour. Asian Earth Sci., v.28, pp. 218–233.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goswami, S., Singh, K.J., and Chandra, S. (2006b) Pteridophytes from Lower Gondwana formations of Ib River Coalfield, Orissa, and their diversity and distribution in the Permian of India. Jour. Asian Earth Sci., v.28, pp.234–250.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goswami, S. and Singh, K.J. (2010) Occurrences of gymnosperms from Lower Gondwana Formations of Ib River Coalfield, Orissa and their environmental significance. Jour. Palaeontol. Soc. India, v.55, pp.121–135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, T.W. (1871) The Karanpura Coal-Fields. Mem. Geol. Surv. India, v.7(3), pp.257–342.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jowett, A. (1925) On the Geological Structure of the Karanpura Coalfields, Bihar and Orissa. Mem. Geol. Surv. India, v.52, (Pt 1).

  • Kulkarni, S. (1971) Glossopteris and Gangamopteris species from South Karanpura Coalfield. Palaeobotanist, v.18, pp.297–304.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maithy, P.K. (1972) Revision of the Lower Gondwana Sphenopteris from India. Palaeobotanist, v.21(1), pp.70–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCoy, F. (1847) On the fossil Botany and Zoology of the rocks associated with the coal of Australia. Ann. Mag. Nat. History, v.20(1) article 15, pp. 145–157; v.20 (3–4) article 28, pp. 298–312.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCoy, F. (1875) Prodromus of the Palaeontology of Victoria. Geol. Surv. Victoria Decade II, pp.11–13.

  • Meena, K.L. and Goswami, S. (2004) Palynostratigraphic studies of Late Permian sediments from Tangadih area, Ib-River Basin, Orissa, India. Minetech, v.25(1), pp.18–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murphy, M.A. and Salvador, A. (1999) International stratigraphic guide—an abridged version. Epis. Jour. Int. Geosci. v.22(4), pp.255–271.

    Google Scholar 

  • Novíkov, A. and Barabaš-Krasni, B. (2015) Modern plant systematics.

  • Pant, D.D. and Gupta, K.L. (1968) Cuticular structure of some Indian Lower Gondwana species of Glossopteris Brongniart-Part I. Palaeontographica, v.124, pp.45–81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pant, D.D. and Gupta, K.L. (1971) Cuticular structure of some Indian Lower Gondwana species of Glossopteris Brongniart- Part II. Palaeontographica, v.132, pp.130–152.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pant, D.D. and Singh, K.B. (1971) Cuticular structure of some Indian Lower Gondwana species of Glossopteris Brongniart- Part III. Palaeontographica, v.135, pp.1–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pant, D.D. and Singh, R.S. (1974) On the stem attachment of Glossopteris and Gangamopteris. Palaeontographica, v.147, pp.42–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patel, R., Goswami, S., Aggarwal, N. and Mathews, R.P. (2021b) Palaeofloristics of Lower Gondwana exposure in Hingula area, Talcher Basin, Odisha, India: an inclusive study on biomarkers, megafloral and palynofloral assemblages. Historical Biology, pp.1–17. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2021.1986039

  • Patel, R., Goswami, S., Aggarwal, N. and Mathews, R.P. (2022) Lower Gondwana megaflora, palynoflora, and biomarkers from Jagannath Colliery, Talcher Basin, Odisha, India, and its biostratigraphic significance. Geol. Jour., v.57(3), pp.986–1004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patel, R., Goswami, S., Sahoo, M., Pillai, S.S.K., Aggarwal, N., Mathews, R.P., Swain, R.R., Saxena, A. and Singh, K.J. (2021a) Biodiversity of a Permian temperate forest: A case study from Ustali area, Ib River Basin, Odisha, India. Geol. Jour., v.56(2), pp.903–933.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pradhan, S., Goswami, S., Pradhan, S. S. and Das, S. B. (2022) A study on morphotaxonomy and distribution of glossopterid scale leaves from the Barakar Formation, South Karanpura Coalfield, Jharkhand, India. Jour. Palaeontol. Soc. India, v.67(2), pp.341–347.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pradhan, S., Goswami, S., Aggarwal, N., Mathews, R.P., Manoj, M.C., Pillai, S.S.K. and Pradhan, S.S. (2023) Integrative study of Permian coal-bearing horizons: biostratigraphy, palaeovegetation, and palaeoclimate in the South Karanpura Basin. Jour Environ. Geochem. Health. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-023-01701-w.

  • Prakash, U. (1965) Some fossil dicotyledonous woods from the Tertiary of eastern India. Palaeobotanist, v.14(1,2,3), pp.223–235.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prasad, B.I. and Pundir, B.S. (1999) Biostratigraphy of the exposed Gondwana and Cretaceous rocks of Krishna-Godavari basin, India. Jour. Palaeontol. Soc. India, v.44, pp.91–117.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raja Rao, C.S. (1987) Coalfields of India. Bull. Geol. Surv. India Ser. A, v.45, pp.336.

    Google Scholar 

  • Royle, J.F. (1839) Illustrations of the Botany and Other Branches of the Natural History of the Himalayan Mountains (etc.), v.1.

  • Sahoo, M., Aggarwal, N. and Goswami, S. (2020) Palynological investigation of the Lower Gondwana outcrop near Gopalprasad, Odisha, India: An inference on the age, palaeovegetation and palaeoclimate. Jour. Palaeontol. Soc. India, v.65(1), pp.27–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sahoo, M., Goswami, S., Aggarwal, N. and Pillai, S.S.K. (2020) Palaeofloristics of Lower Gondwana Exposure near Kumunda Village, Angul District, Talcher Basin, Odisha: A comprehensive study on megafloral and palynofloral assemblages. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.95, pp.241–254.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saxena, A., Singh, K.J. and Cleal, C., et al., (2019) Development of the Glossopteris flora and its end Permian demise in the Tatapani-Ramkola Coalfield, Son-Mahanadi Basin, India. Geol. Jour., v.54, pp.2472–2494.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saxena, A., Singh, K.J. and Goswami, S. (2014) Advent and decline of the genus Glossopteris Brongniart in the Talcher Coalfield, Mahanadi Basin, Odisha, India. Palaeobotanist, v.62, pp.157–168.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schimper, W. P. and Mougeot, A. (1844) Monographie des Plantes fossiles du Grès Bigarré de la Chaine des Vosges, G. Engelmann.

  • Singh, K.J. and Chandra, S. (1987) Some new species of Glossopteris from the Kamthi Formation of Handapa, Orissa. Geophytology, v.17, pp.39–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh, K.J., Goswami, S. and Chandra, S. (2006a) First report of genus Gangamopteris from Gondwana sediments of Ib River Coalfield, Orissa, India. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.68, pp.893–905.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh, K.J., Goswami, S. and Chandra, S. (2006b) The genus Glossopteris from Lower Gondwana formations of Ib River Coalfield, Orissa, India. Jour. Palaeont. Soc. India, v.51(2), pp.81–107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh, K.J., Goswami, S. and Chandra, S. (2007) Occurrence of cordaitales from Lower Gondwana sediments of Ib River Coalfield, Orissa, India: An Indian approach. Jour. Asian Earth Sci., v.29, pp.666–684.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh, K.J., Goswami, S. and Singh, G. (2011) Palaeodiversity in the genus Glossopteris from the Lower Gondwana rocks of the Korba Coalfield, Chhattisgarh State, India. Jour. Palaeontol. Soc. India, v.56(1), pp.45–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh, K.J., Sarate, O.S., Bhattacharya, A.P. and Goswami, S. (2005) Record of Lower Gondwana Megafloral Assemblage from the Nand Coalfield, Wardha Basin, Nagpur District, Maharastra. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.66(3), pp.293–302.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh, S.M. (2002) Seeds, fructifications, bracts and calamitalean axes from the Karanpura and Bokaro group of coalfields. Palaeobotanist, v.51(1-3), pp.73–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh, S.M. and Maheshwari, H.K. (2000) On the species of genus Glossopteris from Barakar Formation of Karanpura & Bokaro Coalfields, India. Palaeobotanist, v.49(3), pp.409–441.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh, S.M. and Singh, H.B. (2002) A Study on Palaeobotany of Karanpura and Bokaro Coalfields. BVAAP, v.10(1), pp. 21–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Srivastava, A.K. (1977) Studies in the Glossopteris flora of India- 42. Barakar plant megafossils and miospores from Auranga Coalfield, Bihar. Palaeobotanist, v.24(1), pp.50–69.

    Google Scholar 

  • Srivastava, A.K. (1978) Studies in the Glossopteris flora of India- 43. Some new plant fossils from the Lower Gondwana sediments of Auranga Coalfield, Bihar. Palaeobotanist, v.25, pp.486–495.

    Google Scholar 

  • Srivastava, A.K. (1992) Plant fossil assemblages from the Barakar Formation of Raniganj Coalfield, India. Palaeobotanist, v.39(3), pp.281–302.

    Google Scholar 

  • Srivastava, A.K. and Tewari, R. (1996) Plant fossils from the Barakar Formation, Auranga Coalfield, Bihar. Geophytology, v.26(1), pp.83–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Surange, K.R. and Maheshwari, H.K. (1962) Studies in the Glossopteris flora of India-11; Some observations on Vertebraria from the Lower Gondwanas of India. Palaeobotanist, v.9, pp.61–67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Swain, R.R., Patel, R. and Sahoo, M. et al., (2020) Megafloristics of fossiliferous beds from Chaurimal Stone Quarry, Ib River Coalfield, Odisha, India and their biostratigraphic implications. Himalayan Geol., v.41(1), pp.39–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tiwari, R.S. and Tripathi, A. (1988) Palynological zones and their climatic inference in the coal- bearing Gondwana of Peninsular India. Palaeobotanist, v.36, pp.87–101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tripathy, G., Goswami, S. and Das, P.P. (2021) Late Permian species diversity of the genus Glossopteris in and around Himgir, Ib River Basin, Odisha, India, with a clue on palaeoclimate and palaeoenvironment. Arab. Jour. Geosci., v.14(8), pp.1–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tripathy, G., Goswami, S. and Patel, R. (2019) An Exclusive Schizoneura Forest: An Emblematic Late Permian Marsh Ecosystem Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.94(5), pp.485–492.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turland, N.J., Wiersema, J.H., Barrie, F.R., Greuter, W., Hawksworth, D.L., Herendeen, P.S. et al., (2018) International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (Shenzhen Code) adopted by the Nineteenth International Botanical Congress Shenzhen, China. Koeltz botanical books.

  • Zeiller, R. (1902) Observations sur quelques plantes fossiles des Lower Gondwanas. Mem. Geol. Surv. India, Paleont. Indica New Ser, v.2(1), pp.1–40.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgement

SP is grateful to DST, Government of India for the research grant. Authors are also thankful to Paresh Ranjan Dash, Lalatendu Dehury and Gyana Ranjan Parida for accompanying us during field trip to South Karanpura Coalfield.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth Sciences, Sambalpur University, Jyoti Vihar, Burla, 768 019, India

    Sanghamitra Pradhan

  2. Department of Geology, Utkal University, Vani Vihar, Bhubaneswar, 751 004, India

    Shreerup Goswami

  3. Department of Applied Geology, Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, 826 004, India

    Siddharth Shekhar Pradhan

  4. Adani Natural Resources, Ahmedabad, 382 421, India

    Subhransu Bhusan Das

Authors
  1. Sanghamitra Pradhan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Shreerup Goswami
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Siddharth Shekhar Pradhan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Subhransu Bhusan Das
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Sanghamitra Pradhan, Shreerup Goswami, Siddharth Shekhar Pradhan or Subhransu Bhusan Das.

Additional information

Mrs. Sanghamitra Pradhan is a Senior Research Fellow (DST- INSPIRE, Government of India) at Sambalpur University and has submitted her Ph.D. thesis under the guidance of Prof. Shreerup Goswami. Her research interests are Palaeontology, Palynology, Organic Geochemistry and Stratigraphy. She has collected the samples, and has written the manuscript. She has made the vegetational reconstruction of the area.

Shreerup Goswami, Ph.D., D.Sc. has carried out research at Birbal Sahani Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow. Presently he is working as Professor and Head, Department of Geology, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar. He pursues research in Palaeontology, Environmental Geology and Acoustic Science. He has conceived, designed, reviewed and edited the manuscript.

Mr. Siddharth Shekhar Pradhan has completed his Masters in Applied Geology (MSc. Tech.) from IIT (ISM), Dhanbad. He has assisted during sample collection and photography.

Mr. Subhransu Bhusan Das is a Geologist working in Adani Natural Resources. He has assisted during sample collection in the field.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Pradhan, S., Goswami, S., Pradhan, S.S. et al. Floral Diversity of South Karanpura Basin, Jharkhand, India and their Palaeoclimatic Implication with Special Reference to Palaeoenvironment. J Geol Soc India 99, 1387–1407 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-023-2486-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-023-2486-7

Search

Navigation