SOUVENIR COMMITTEE - Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany

Training Programme on “PALYNOLOGY IN FOSSIL FUEL EXPLORATION”
[ September 10-17, 2012 ]
SEDIMENTARY ORGANIC MATTER: A PROXY DATA FOR DECIPHERING
SEDIMENTARY ENVIRONMENTS
MADHAV KUMAR
Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow-226007
E-mail: madhavbsip@gmail.com
For the past three decades, studies on the sedimentary organic matter (acid resistant phytoclasts
and zooclasts), its nature and depositional environments have been considered among the most
multidisciplinary pursuit within the earth science. This discipline termed as ‘Palynofacies Analysis’
(sensu Combaz, 1964), has enabled palynologists to deduce detailed environmental interpretations,
proven useful in fossil fuel exploration. Spore-pollen and marine phytoplankton compose only a small
percentage, but plant-derived (structured and degraded phytoclasts) constitute a major part in the
palynological slides. A proper appreciation of the discipline requires thorough understanding of the
morphology of cellular details of various parts of the plant and its biodegradation processes involved
during their pre-burial and burial stages. A thorough knowledge of morphology of spore-pollen,
acritarchs, dinoflagellate cysts, microforaminiferal linings, algae, fungal hyphae and fruiting bodies and
other microscopic zooclasts etc. is required while dealing the palynofacies analysis of a sedimentary
horizon. Their careful observation and recognition of repeated occurrences of various palynological
matter (palynomorph taxa and phytoclasts structured to various degree of biodegradation with mineral
contents), their shape, size and evidence of microbial infections in various facies is key for successful
palynofacies analysis of a strata of the sedimentary section. An improved knowledge for interpretation of
the environmental controls that governs their ecology and production in the biosphere; and environmental
and edaphic factors involved during their dispersal, sedimentation and diagenesis during burial in the
geospheres. Palynofacies analysis in their stratigraphic context can help in the interpretation of the
processes controlling the depositional set-ups provide a basis for deciphering their burial processes in
various lithofacies. Identification of palynofacies in conjunction with conventional biostratigraphy can
lead to an improved and more complete understanding of the stratigraphy of the vertical sequences.
Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow
19