1995-96 - Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany
1995-96 - Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany 1995-96 - Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany
BSIP Colliery Ltd. in unexplored areas. On the basis of palynostratigraphical studies on subsurface materials provided by the above agencies from Rajmahal Basin (Bihar), Domra Panagarh sub-basin (West Bengal), Sohagpur, Tatapani-Ramkola, Talcher, Ib-River and Mand Raigarh coalfields of Son Mahanadi Basin (Madhya Pradesh and Orissa), Satpura Basin (Madhya Pradesh) and Kothagudem area in Godavari Graben, the age determination and correlation of various coal-bearing sediments have been established. The analysis has revealed presence of acritarchs, the organic-walled microfossils of doubtful origin in the Early Triassic sediments of Talchcr Coalfield (Orissa) for the first time from Peninsular India. The genetic materials of spores and pollen have the blue print of morphographic features specific for the particular type. The morphographic characters have been used in the taxonomic studies. The study of exine stmctures on the body surface ofbisaccate pollen has helped in identifYing the Indian Gondwana bisaccate pollen from the apparently similar looking Euromerian forms. Search for the angiospermous characters is one of the aspects of research on the origin of angiosperms. The detailed palynological studies have revealed presence of angiospermoid exine characters in the Permian palynomorphs recorded in Talcher Coalfield and Rajmahal Basin. Quality and grade of Indian coals and lignites Analyses of the Indian coals and lignites by petrological methods have been continued to understand the quality and grade of coal/lignite. The high concentration ofliydrogenrich microconstituents in sub-bituminous-A to high volatile bituminous-C coals of Hura Coalfield, Rajmahal Basin has shown their amenability for hydrogenation. The coals from Belampalli Coalfield and Manugum areas of Godavari Graben, Tatapani-Ramkola and Talcher coalfields, Son-Mahanadi Basin and Changki Valley Coalfield, Nagaland have been assessed biopetrologically. Similar studies have also been extended to the lignite from Panandhro Lignitefield, Kutch Basin, Gujarat. Flowering plants of the Past and palaeoenvironment Continuing the quest for understanding the origin and diversification of flowering plants, the fossil plant assemblages from Tertiary sediments have been studied. The fossil woods recovered from Wardha District, Maharashtra suggest that central India witnessed uniform floral pattern and climate during Late Cretaceous-Early Tertiary time. Similar studies on fossil woods from western India indicate the existence of moist humid condition during Late Tertiary in Gujarat and Rajasthan. The palaeobotanical studies were carried out on the Tertiary sediments of Janunu area, Kargil Basin, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh to understand the distribution of plant fossils and palaeogeography. Similar studies were also extended to Tertiary sediments of Nepal. The phytogeographical significance and palaeoecology were interpreted on the basis of comparison of fossil taxa with habitat of similar extant plants. Identification ofleaf-impressions as Acrostichum suggests coastal environment in the vicinity of Kasauli-Kumarhatti during Lower Miocene. In totality, the megafloral evidences 2
1995-96 indicate existence of tropical forest all along the Himalayan foot-hills during the deposition of Siwalik sediments. In one of the studies the presence of zygospores referable to Zygnemataceae algae was recorded from Siwalik sediments of western Nepal. This evidences for the clear. stagnant and shallow freshwater environment during the deposition of these sediments. Detailed Scanning Elcctron Microscopy was carried out on fossil Selerosperma cf. S. manii to ascertain the nature of aperture and affinities in fossil and extant pollen. The existence of African Palm-like plants in the Neyvcli was ·confinned. Scanning Electron Microscopic studies on the fossil woods from Deccan Intertrappeans and modem charcoal revealed absence of middle lamella. This suggests that the volcanic erruptions caused fire which produced fusain at the cost of middle lamella. On the basis of leaf-impressions from west and central Nepal, a phytogeographical link between Indian subcontinent and southeast Asia was deduced during Miocene-Pliocene. Studies were also carried out to understand the fossil flora of northeastern India during Tertiary Period. The fossil leaves, fruits, seeds and spores and pollen were investigated to estimate the vegetational components; the palaeoecology of the basin was also assessed. The fossils of monocotyledonous taxon Nipa. recorded from Makum Coalfield, indicate that the deposition of coal and associated sediments occurred in coastal environment. In one of the studies the palynological composition from Namdrik River Section, Changlang District, Arunachal Pradesh indicated the existence of a humid tropical to subtropical climate with high rainfall. A shallow marine environment of deposition and subtropical to tropical climate was interpreted for Tertiary sediments in Garo Hills, Meghalaya. The Quaternary sediments from south Indian tropical montane forest, Garhwal Himalaya, Mahanadi Delta and Andaman and Nicobar Islands were palynologically analysed to understand the history of vegetation and climate. The palynological studies on Spiti Valley material have revealed cold and dry c1innateduring 2000 to 1500 yrs B.P., while between 1500 to 900 yrs B.P. amelioration in climate is indicated. Thereafter, recurrence of the cold and dry climate is recorded. The palynological studies from Sadanandpur profile (Malmnadi Delta) have shown several cyclic changes in the marine transgressive and regressive facies. On the basis of palynostratigraphy and lithostratigraphy from Sadanandpur the ancient shore lines have been deduced. The results of palynological studies from a profile dated back to 20,000 yrs B.P. from Andaman and icobar Islands have shown vegetational development in three phases. The tree ring chronology is being worked out at the Institute. The results of tree ring studies of teak from the Wood Museul11of Institute of Wood Science and Technology, Bangalore, date the wood to the period 1159-1959 AD. In a similar study on a Mesozoic wood Podocarpoxylon rajmahalense, wann temperate climate was interpreted for the period. Phytoplankton stratigraphy The phytoplankton studies were continued on marine sediments of Kutch and Saurashtra, Meghalaya. East Coast and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The taxonomical 3
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BSIP<br />
Colliery Ltd. in unexplored areas. On the basis <strong>of</strong> palynostratigraphical studies on<br />
subsurface materials provided by the above agencies from Rajmahal Basin (Bihar),<br />
Domra Panagarh sub-basin (West Bengal), Sohagpur, Tatapani-Ramkola, Talcher,<br />
Ib-River and Mand Raigarh coalfields <strong>of</strong> Son Mahanadi Basin (Madhya Pradesh<br />
and Orissa), Satpura Basin (Madhya Pradesh) and Kothagudem area in Godavari<br />
Graben, the age determination and correlation <strong>of</strong> various coal-bearing sediments<br />
have been established. The analysis has revealed presence <strong>of</strong> acritarchs, the<br />
organic-walled micr<strong>of</strong>ossils <strong>of</strong> doubtful origin in the Early Triassic sediments <strong>of</strong> Talchcr<br />
Coalfield (Orissa) for the first time from Peninsular India.<br />
The genetic materials <strong>of</strong> spores and pollen have the blue print <strong>of</strong> morphographic<br />
features specific for the particular type. The morphographic characters have been used in the<br />
taxonomic studies. The study <strong>of</strong> exine stmctures on the body surface <strong>of</strong>bisaccate pollen has<br />
helped in identifYing the Indian Gondwana bisaccate pollen from the apparently similar looking<br />
Euromerian forms. Search for the angiospermous characters is one <strong>of</strong> the aspects <strong>of</strong><br />
research on the origin <strong>of</strong> angiosperms. The detailed palynological studies have revealed presence<br />
<strong>of</strong> angiospermoid exine characters in the Permian palynomorphs recorded in Talcher<br />
Coalfield and Rajmahal Basin.<br />
Quality and grade <strong>of</strong> Indian coals and lignites<br />
Analyses <strong>of</strong> the Indian coals and lignites by petrological methods have been continued<br />
to understand the quality and grade <strong>of</strong> coal/lignite. The high concentration <strong>of</strong>liydrogenrich<br />
microconstituents in sub-bituminous-A to high volatile bituminous-C coals <strong>of</strong> Hura<br />
Coalfield, Rajmahal Basin has shown their amenability for hydrogenation. The coals from<br />
Belampalli Coalfield and Manugum areas <strong>of</strong> Godavari Graben, Tatapani-Ramkola and Talcher<br />
coalfields, Son-Mahanadi Basin and Changki Valley Coalfield, Nagaland have been assessed<br />
biopetrologically. Similar studies have also been extended to the lignite from Panandhro<br />
Lignitefield, Kutch Basin, Gujarat.<br />
Flowering<br />
plants <strong>of</strong> the Past and palaeoenvironment<br />
Continuing the quest for understanding the origin and diversification <strong>of</strong> flowering<br />
plants, the fossil plant assemblages from Tertiary sediments have been studied. The fossil<br />
woods recovered from Wardha District, Maharashtra suggest that central India witnessed<br />
uniform floral pattern and climate during Late Cretaceous-Early Tertiary time. Similar studies<br />
on fossil woods from western India indicate the existence <strong>of</strong> moist humid condition during<br />
Late Tertiary in Gujarat and Rajasthan.<br />
The palaeobotanical studies were carried out on the Tertiary sediments <strong>of</strong> Janunu<br />
area, Kargil Basin, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh to understand<br />
the distribution <strong>of</strong> plant fossils and palaeogeography. Similar studies were also extended<br />
to Tertiary sediments <strong>of</strong> Nepal. The phytogeographical significance and palaeoecology<br />
were interpreted on the basis <strong>of</strong> comparison <strong>of</strong> fossil taxa with habitat <strong>of</strong> similar extant<br />
plants. Identification <strong>of</strong>leaf-impressions as Acrostichum suggests coastal environment in the<br />
vicinity <strong>of</strong> Kasauli-Kumarhatti during Lower Miocene. In totality, the megafloral evidences<br />
2
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