JASC: Journal of Applied Science and Computations …Map showing Gondwana basins of India (after Joyjit Dey, et al., 2018) JASC: Journal of Applied Science and Computations Volume

Palynofloristic and Palaeoclimatic Investigations of the Lower Gondwana sediments from the West Bokaro Coalfield, Jharkhand, India

Chanchal Lakra*, Bacha Ram Jha* and Neha Aggarwal# * University Department of Geology, Ranchi University, Ranchi

# Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, Lucknow

Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

Abstract The Present palynofloristic and palaeoclimatic investigation deals with the study of

the Lower Gondwana sediments of the Pundi area of West Bokaro Coalfield, Damodar basin,

Jharkhand, India. The Coal bearing sediments recovered from the sub-surface samples

(borehole WBPS-1) have been characterized with two distinct palynoassemblage i.e.

Palynoassemblage I and Palynoassemblage II. Palynoassemblage I (540.6m to 92.1m) is

dominated by the abundance of non-striate bisaccate genera represented by

Schueringipollenites and sub-dominance of striate bisaccate Striatopodocarpites and

Faunipollenites whereas Palynoassemblage II (41.13m) is characterized by the predominance

of Faunipollenites and Striatopodocarpites and sub-dominance of non-striate bisaccate

Schueringipollenites along with the good percentage of pteridophytic spores. The recovered

Palynoassemblages (I and II) have been compared with the known biostratigraphic zones of

the other basin and suggested its equivalence to the Lower Barakar (Artinskian age) and

Upper Barakar (Kungurian age) palynoflora respectively. The pre-eminence of glossopterids

along with the contributory presence of cordaites, conifer, and pteridophytic spores represent

a peat swamp forming vegetation in a telmatic environment with periods of standing water.

Keywords: Palynofloristic, Palaeoclimatic, Barakar Formation, Artinskian, Kungurian,

Damodar basin.

JASC: Journal of Applied Science and Computations

Volume VI, Issue III, March/2019

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Introduction

The Indian Gondwana coals are the major source of energy producer, about 99% of

the coal resources of the country depends on this formation. The Gondwana basin of India

represents a motif cycle of sedimentary rock showing varied environmental depositions

ranges age from the early Permian to end of the early Cretaceous. These Gondwana

sedimentary deposits spreads along five well defined linear belts of intracratonic faulted

basins (Damodar valley, Wardha –Godavari valley, Son – Mahanadi valley, Pench –kanhan

valley and Rajmahal basin) (Fig. 1). Among these basins excellent development of the Lower

Gondwana sediments can be seen in the Damodar basin. No formal stratigraphic

classification can be ascribed to this sequence because it is characterized by both

lithostratigraphic as well as biostratigraphic characters. From the decades of studies it is

proved that spore dispersae is a unique parameter for dating and correlation, in prospecting

and economic usage of fossil fuel exploration. There have been seen several palynological

studies on different coalfields of the Damoda basin, but very few reports (Surange et. al.,

1953, Lele 1975; Srivastava and saxsena, 1984; Bhattacharya et. al., 2005) are available from

the West Bokaro Coalfield. The objective of the present investigation is to attribute the

quantitative and qualitative analysis of the palynomorphs, age demarcation, identification of

botanical affinities and its relation to palaeoenvironment.

Geology of the Area

The West Bokaro Coalfield covers an area of 207km2 and a length of 16 km its width

is 11 km in the West and 3.2 km in the East at the base of the Lugu hill. The Coalfield is

separated from the North Karanpura Coalfield by a narrow stretch of metamorphic and outlier

of the Talchir in the West. It lies within latitude 23045’52’’N to 23052’58” N and longitude

85030’E to 85032’37’’E. The coalfield displays a complete geological succession of the

Gondwana rocks from the Lower Gondwana and Upper Gondwana. The basin is

characterized by the Talchir, Karharbari, Barakar, Raniganj and Supra Panchet formations.



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The coalfield dominates mainly with coal bearing the Karharbari and Barakar formations.

Intrusion of lamproitic and lamprophytic types of dykes and sill can be observed in the

Barakar Formation. The occurrence of the Caking coal in the West Bokaro Coalfield was first

reported by C.S. Fox in 1934. The stratigraphic sequence inferred on the basis of extensive

geological field work has been presented in (Table 1).

The Pundi Block is situated in the West Central part of the West Bokaro Coalfield

Ramgarh, Jharkhand. It is bound in the North by the Pundi Block, in the West by the

Hesagarha Block, in the south by the Kuju block. It lies within latitude 23045’N to 23046’N

and longitude 85025’ E to 85040’ E (Fig. 2). The Pundi Block consists of a large block which

is divided into various sub blocks. The exploration of this block carried out by the Indian

Bureau of Mines in 1961-1964, however the Pundi extension Block II, Western part was

explored in 1963. The Pundi block is marked with the presence of Barren measures, Barakar

and Karharbari formations but the absence of Talchir Formation. The area is basically

composed of the Barakar sandstone. The fold can be seen in synclinal structure in the Seam

IV, they also show the presence of normal fault in the seam V, with the presence of

slickenside.

Fig.1. Map showing Gondwana basins of India (after Joyjit Dey, et al., 2018)



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Fig. 2. Location map of Pundi (after Raja Rao, 1987)

Table 1 Generalized stratigraphy of the West Bokaro Coalfield (after Raja Rao, G.S.I. 1987) AGE FORMATION LITHOLOGY

Recent Jurassic Recent Intrusive Alluvium and Laterite, Basic and ultrabasic dykes and sills

(dolerites and lamprophyres)

Upper Triassic Supra

Panchet/Mahadeva

Conglomerates, ferruginous sandstone and siltstones

(500m)

Lower Triassic Panchet Fine grained sandstone, green shales and red and chocolate

coloured shale and clay (450m)

Upper Permian Raniganj Fine grained sandstone, siltstone, carbonaeceous and grey

shales with coal seams (550m)

Middle

Permian

Barren Measure Carbonaceous Shales, grey micaceousshales with iron

stone bands, siltstone and sandstone (300m)

Lower Permian Barakar Conglomerates, pebbly sandstone,very coarse grained to

fine grained sandstone, grey shales , carbonaceous shale,

fire clay and coal seams(610m)

Karharbari Conglomerates, very coarse grained sandstone at place and

thick coal sea- 40m to 60m

Upper

Carboniferous

Talchir Diamictite, fine to medium grained greenish and buff

coloured sandstone, shale, rhythmite, turbidite,stc. (610m)

Precambrian Granite gneisses, schists, amphibolites, quartzites,

pegmatites, etc.



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Material and Methods

Samples for the present investigation were collected from borehole WBPS-1 drilled

by the Central Mining and Design Institute, Ranchi in the West Bokaro Pundi Coalfield (Fig.

3). Samples collected from shaley coal, carbonaceous shale, and coals were processed by

following a standard palynological method called maceration. First, the 10-20 gm material

was crushed to 2-4 mm size and treated with Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) for two to three days

for the removal of silica. After thorough washing of the material, the acid free residue was

treated with HNO3 (concentrated nitric acid) for 3-4 days and finally the material is treated

with 10% KOH solution (alkali treatment) to bleach the organic matter. After sieving through

400 micro mesh, the material was finally mounted in Canada balsam with the help of Poly

Vinyl Chloride (PVC). Eight to ten slides per sample were prepared from each productive

sample. Olympus BX61 microscope was used for the palynological investigation and

photographs were taken with the help of a DP-25 camera. Qualitative and quantitative studies

of palynomorphs were performed at the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, Lucknow.

For quantitative analyses, a total of 100 spore/pollen grains were counted for each sample and

palynoassemblages are identified.

Results

Quantitative and qualitative palynological analysis of sediments has divulged two

palynoassemblage in borehole WBPS-1. The vertical distribution of various palynomorphs in

the borehole WBPS-1 has been shown in Fig. 4. A list of recovered spore-pollen species has

been summarized in Table 2 and palynocomposition of the complete borehole WBPS-1 has

been shown in Table 3. Stratigraphically significant palynomorphs are shown in Fig. 5.

Palynocomposition Palynologically studied succession reveals that the pollen grains are the

predominant component which include a number of trilete, monosaccate, bisaccate, taeniates

and others. Palynocomposition of two different palynoassemblage are as follows:



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Fig . 3. Showing the litholog of borehole WBPS1



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Fig. 4 Compilation Figure of the present study



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Table 2 List of recovered spore pollen species and their Botanical affinity (after Beri et al., 2011; Quadros et

al., 1996; Diéguez and Barrón, 2005; Jasper et al., 2006, Aggarwal et al., 2017) from borehole WBPS-1 Recovered genera Botanical Affinity

Leiotriletes rectus Bharadwaj & Salujha, 1964 Filicopsids

Brevitriletes communis Bharadwaj and Srivastava emend. Tiwari and Singh, 1981

Microfoveolatispora foveolata (Tiwari) Tiwari & Singh, 1981

Microbaculispora villosa (Balme & Hennelly) Bharadwaj, 1962

Horriditriletes ramosus (Balme & Hennelly) Bharadwaj & Salujha, 964

Indotriradites sparsus Tiwari, 1965 Lycopsid

Lacinitriletes conatus Srivastava, 1977 Pteridophyta

Caheniasaccites ellipticus Bose & Maheshwari, 1968 Coniferopsids

Parasaccites densicorpus Lele, 1975 Cordiates

Parasaccites korbaensis Bharadwaj & Tiwari, 1964

Plicatipollenites indicus Lele 1964

Divarisaccus lelei Venkatachala & Kar, 1966

Striomonosaccites ovatus Bharadwaj, 1964 Coniferopsids

Chordasporites australiensis de Jersey, 1962 Coniferopsids

Scheuringipollenites maximus (Hart) Tiwari, 1973 Glossopteridales

Scheuringipollenites barakarensis (Tiwari) Tiwari, 1973

Ibisporites jhingurdahiensis Sinha, 1972

Ibisporites diplosaccus Tiwari, 1968

Platysaccus plicatus Bharadwaj and Dwivedi, 1981 Coniferopsids

Faunipollenites varius Bharadwaj, 1962 Ginkgoopsida

(? Glossopteridales) Faunipollenites bharadwajii Maheswari, 1967

Faunipollenites goraiensis (Potonié and Lele) Maithy, 1965

Striatopodocarpites decorus Bharadwaj and Salujha, 1964

Striatopodocarpites diffusus Bharadwaj and Salujha, 1964

Striatopodocarpites brevis Sinha, 1972

Weylandites obscurus (Tiwari) Bharadwaj and Dwivedi, 1981

Crescentipollenites fuscus (Bharadwaj) Bharadwaj, Tiwari and Kar, 974 Coniferopsids

Striatites communis Bharadwaj and Salujha, 1964 Glossopteridales

Striasulcites ovatus Venkatachala and Kar, 1968c Coniferopsids

Strotersporites communis Wilson, 1962 Coniferopsids

Lunatisporites pellucidus (Goubin, 1965) Maheshwari and Bnaerji, 1975 Coniferopsids

Kamthisaccites sp. Coniferopsids

Tiwariasporis simplex (Tiwari) Maheshwari and Kar, 1967 others

Latosporites colliensis (Balme & Hennelly) Venkatachala & Kar, 1968 Sphenopsid

Osmundacidites sp. Filicopsids

Brachysaccus sp. Coniferopsids

Indospora clara Bharadwaj 1962 Lycopyta

Palynoassemblage I (540.6-92.1 m) is characterized by the abundance of the non-striate

bisaccate Scheuringipollenites (24-61%) and sub-dominance of striate bisaccates, i.e.

Faunipollenites (13-24%), Striatopodocarpites (4.7-26.8%). Other recorded taxa of this

palynoassemblage are:



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Triletes Leotriletes (0.8%), Brevitriletes (0.8-13%), Microfoveolatispora (2.8-12%),

Microbaculispora (0.8-5.8%), Horriditriletes (2.5%), Indotriradites (0.9%), Lacinitriletes

(0.5-0.9%), Osmundacidites (2.4%).

Monosaccates Caheniasaccites (0.3-0.8%), Parasaccites (1.8-9.2%), Plicatipollenites

(0.3%), Divarisaccus (0.9%), Striomonosaccites (0.3-0.9%).

Non-striate bisaccates Chordasporites (1.6-1.7%), Ibisporites (1.6-4.8%), Platysaccus (0.8-

1.6%), Brachysaccus (0.8%).

Striate bisaccates Striatites (0.59%), Striasulcites (0.59%), Stroterosporites (1.6%).

Taeniate Lunatisporites (3.2-8.3%).

Others Tiwariasporis (0.6-2.9%), Latosporites (0.8-2.5%), Weylandites (0.8%)

Lithostratigraphic distribution Barakar Formation

Comparison: Palynoassemblage I is equivalent to the Scheuringipollenites barakarensis

zone (Zone III-A) of the Damodar basin (Tiwari and Tripathi, 1992) in having the

predominance of Scheuringipollenites and sub-dominance of striate bisaccates.

Palynoassemblage I also correlates well with Zone-3 of the Umaria Coalfield (Srivastava and

Anand-Prakash, 1984), Zone-3 of the Johilla Coalfield (Anand-Prakash and Srivastava,

1984), Assemblage-B of the Pathakhera Coalfield (Sarate, 1986), Assemblage-B of the

Wardha Coalfield (Bhattacharyya, 1997), Assemblage-II of the Talcher Coalfield (Tripathi,

1997), Palynozone-2 of the Ib River Coalfield (Meena, 2000), Palynoassemblage-I of the Pali

sediments of the Sohagpur Coalfield (Ram-Awatar et al., 2003) and Palynozone-2 of the

Tatapani-Ramkola Coalfield (Kar and Srivastava, 2003). Present palynoassemblage also

shows its equivalence with various areas of the Godavari Valley Coalfield

Palynoassemblage-III of the Mamakannnu area (Jha and Aggarwal, 2010),

Palynoassemblage-D of the Gundala area (Jha and Aggarwal, 2011), Palynoassemblage-I of



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the Kachinapalli area (Jha et al., 2011), Palynozone-3 of the Mailaram area (Jha and

Aggarwal, 2012) and Palynozone -I of the North Karanpura Coalfield (Sanga and Jha, 2015).

Palynoassemblage II (41.13 m) is discriminated by the predominance of striate bisaccates, i.e.

Faunipollenites (23.39%) and Striatopodocarpites (20.46%) along with Scheuringipollenites

(9.3%).

Triletes Brevitriletes (6.4%), Microfoveolatispora (14.03%), Microbaculispora (6.4%),

Horriditriletes (0.58%), Lacinitriletes (4.6%), Osmundacidites (1.7%)

Monosaccates Caheniasaccites (0.58%), Parasaccites (0.58%)

Striate bisaccate Stroterosporites (2.9%)

Taeniates Lunatisporites (1.7%), Kamthisaccites (6.4%)

Others Weylandites (0.58%)

Lithostratigraphic distribution Barakar Formation

Comparison Palynoassemblage II has its close resemblance with Faunipollenites varius

assemblage zone of Tiwari and Tripathi (1992) in having an abundance of Faunipollenites

along with Scheuringipollenites. Present palynoflora also correlates well with biozone-2 of

the Auranga Coalfield (Jha and Jha, 1996), Assemblage-II of the Tatapani–Ramkola

Coalfield (Tripathi et al., 2012), Palynoassemblage of the IB river Coalfield (Meena, 1999),

Palynoassemblage-I of the IB river Coalfield (Meena et al., 2011), Palynoassemblage of the

Satpura Gondwana basin (Srivastava and Ramawatar, 2003), Palynoassemblage-II of the

Mand Coalfield (Chakraborty and Ram-awatar, 2006).



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Fig. 5 Stratigraphically significant palynomorphs recovered from borehole WBPS 1

Discussion

Age demarcation on the basis of palynofloral diversity

The Indian Lower Barakar palynoflora is characterized by the predominance of non-

striate bisaccates along with fairly good percentage of striate bisaccates while striate



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bisaccates attain dominance in the Upper Barakar and remain dominant up to the Raniganj

palynoflora (Late Permian). The Raniganj palynoflora is discriminated by the preeminence of

striate bisaccates along with stratigraphically significant taxa, thus identifying the Raniganj

palynoassemblages associated taxa are very substantial. In the Damodar basin, nine

assemblage zones have been defined in the Lower Gondwana (Talchir to Raniganj)

succession (Tiwari and Tripathi, 1992). On the basis of the palynological attributes, two

distinct palynoassemblages has been identified in the present investigation. The dominance of

non-striate bisaccate (Scheuringipollenites) and sub-dominance of striate bisaccates

(Faunipollenites, Striatopodocarpites) in Palynoassemblage I (540.6-92.1 m) proposes the

Lower Barakar palynoflora, predominance of striate bisaccates (Faunipollenites,

Striatopodocarpites) along with non-striate bisaccate (Scheuringipollenites) in

Palynoassemblage II (41.13 m) suggests its resemblance with the Upper Barakar palynoflora.

Hence, it is inferred that Palynoassemblage I was preserved during the Artinskian age (table-

2; Jha, 2006) and Palynoassemblage II was preserved during the Kungurian age (table-2; Jha,

2006).

Floristic changes and paleoecological variability

The present palynoflora confirmed the domination of gymnosperm pollen grains

mainly assignable to glossopterids (Scheuringipollenites, Faunipollenites,

Striatopodocarpites), Spores (Leotriletes, Brevitriletes, Microfoveolatispora,

Microbaculispora, Horriditriletes, Indotriradites, Lacinitriletes, and Osmundacidites) and

conifers (Lunatisporites, Kamthisaccites, Striomonosaccites, etc.) are relatively low.

Glossopterids grow in mesophyllous palaeoenvironment, flourished in lowland peats; spores

grow in hygrophilous to mesophyllous paleoenvironment conditions while conifers were

carried out from more far-away parts to the mires (Knoll & Nicklas, 1987). Conifers are

measured to be hinterland or extrabasinal elements which typically show numerous



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adaptations for subsistence in drier habitats. Cordaitophytic pollen grains (Parasaccites,

Plicatipollenites, Divarisaccus, and) also grow in the mesophilous palaeoenvironment near

the palaeomire, and palaeoecologically they inhabited in well-drained low land areas (Taylor

& Taylor, 1993). The fragmentary occurrence of Cordaites advocates the invasion of

leftovers of a parautochthonous seasonal dry land flora in the depositional environment

(Jasper et al., 2006).

On the basis of botanical affinity, the dominance of glossopterids

(Scheuringipollenites, Striatopodocarpites Faunipollenites) and contributory presence of

cordaites, conifers and pteridophytic spores in the present palynoflora represents a peat

swamp forming vegetation (Guerra-Sommer et al., 1983) in a telmatic environment with

periods of standing water (Teichmuller, 1962). Such type of palynofloral composition is

prevalent in Indian coal palynoflora. Similar kind of palynoflora has also been documented in

Brazil (Guerra-Sommer et al., 1983; Cazzulo-Klepzig et al., 2007). Present studies suggest

that palaeomire was situated in a wet forest environment with fresh water settings while the

presence of a suitable percentage of spores at some places (Table 3) suggests flooding

environment signatures (DiMichele & Phillips 1994).



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Table 3 Palynocomposition of the borehole WBPS-1 at the different depth levels Depth

(m)

Lithology of

the samples

Palynocomposition Remarks

41.3 Carbonaceous

shale with

coal

Dominance of striate bisaccates chiefly, Faunipollenites (23.39%), Striatopodocarpites

(20.47%) along with Scheuringipollenites (9.36%). Significant percentage of

Microfoveolatispora (14.04%), Microbaculispora (6.43%), Kamthisaccites (6.43%),

Lacinitriletes (4.67%), Brevitriletes (3.5%), Strotersporites (2.92%), Lunatisporites

(1.75%), Osmundacidites (1.75%), Horriditriletes (0.58%), and Parasaccites (0.58%) has

been documented.

Palynoassemblage-II

Upper Barakar

(Kungurian age)

92.1 Shaley coal Dominance of non striate bisaccates Scheuringipollenites (35.71%), and subdominance of

Striatopodocarpites (21.42%), Faunipollenites (13.09%). Lunatisporites (8.33%),

Microbaculispora (5.35%), Ibisporites (3.57%), Tiwariasporis (2.97%), Parasaccites

(2.38%), Brevitriletes (1.9%), Chordasporites (1.78%), Latosporites (1.78%),

Lacinitriletes (0.59%), Indopsora (0.59%), Striasulcites (0.59%) are present.

Palynoassemblage-I

Lower Barakar

(Artinskian age)

92.2 Shaley coal Dominance of Scheuringipollenites (54.16%), Subdominance of Faunipollenites (22.5%).

Presence of Striatopodocarpites (7.5%), Microbaculispora (4.16%), Parasaccites

(3.33%), Latosporite (2.5%), Horriditriletes (2.5%), Ibisporites (1.66%), Leotriletes

(0.83%), Brachysaccus (0.83%).

106 Carbonaceous

shale with

coal

Dominance of Scheuringipollenites (41.51%), Ibisporites (2.72%) and subdominance of

Faunipollenites (18.18%), Striatopodocarpites (12.42%). Parasaccites,

Microbaculispora, Horriditriletes, Latopsorites, Indotriradites, Caheniasaccites,

Plicatipollenites are in rare percentage while Brevitriletes is 13.03%.

157.56 Shaley coal Poor in spores and pollen but the presence of Faunipollenites, Striatopodocarpites

Scheuringipollenites, Ibisporites, Microbaculispora, Lunatisporites and Indotriradites is

marked.

164 Carbonaceous

shale with

coal

Dominance of Scheuringipollenites (24.36%), Ibisporites (2.52%) subdominance of

Faunipollenites (22.68%), Striatopodocarpites (20.16%). Presence of Microfoveolatispora

(12.60%), Parasaccites (9.24%), Microbaculispora (5.88%), Latosporites (0.84%),

Brevitriletes (0.84%), and Platysaccus (0.84%) is marked.

217.88 Shaley coal Presence of Striatopodocarpites, Faunipollenites, Scheuringipollenites, Ibisporites,

Microfoveolatispora, Microbaculispora, Parasaccites, Lunatisporites, Platysaccus,

Strotersporite, Crescentipollenites, and Striasulcites has been observed.



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232.64 Coal Poor in spores and pollen but Scheuringipollenites and Striatopodocarpites are present.

269.18 Shaley coal Poor in spores and pollen but Striatopodocarpites, Scheuringipollenites and

Microfoveolatispora are present.

332.3 Carbonaceous

shale with

coal

Dominance of striate bisaccates Striatopodocarpites (26.82%), Faunipollenites (22.76%)

and subdominance of Scheuringipollenites (24.39%), Ibisporites (4.87%), alongwith the

Microfoveolatispora (4.87%), Lunatisporites (3.25%), Parasaccites (3.25%),

Osmundacidites (2.43%), Chordasporites (1.62%), Strotersporites (1.62%), Platysaccus

(1.62%), Microbaculispora (0.81%), Weylandites (0.81%) has been documented.

332.4 Carbonaceous

shale with

coal

Presence of Striatopodocarpites, Faunipollenites, Scheuringipollenites, Ibisporites,

Strotersporites, Microfoveolatispora, Striatites, Platysaccus, and Weylandites has been

marked.

359.6 Coal Poor in spores and pollen but the presence of Striatopodocarpites, Faunipollenites,

Lunatisporites, Microbaculispora, Strotersporites, Crescentipollenites, Horriditriletes,

Platysaccus, Microfoveolatispora, Indospora, and Brevitriletes has been marked.

397.73 Shaley coal Poor in spores and pollen but Microbaculispora and Strotersporites are present.

413 Shaley coal Poor in miospores, Faunipollenites, Striatopodocarpites, Lunatisporites, Parasaccites,

and Strotersporites are present.

445.4 Shaley coal Dominance of nonstriate bisaccates Scheuringipollenites (61.90%), Ibisporites (2.85%)

and sub dominance of Faunipollenites (23.80%), Striatopodocarpites (4.76%) alongwith

the presence of Microfoveolatispora (2.85%), Microbaculispora (2.85%), and

Divarisaccus (0.95%).

540.69 Carbonaceous

shale with

coal

Dominance of non striate bisaccate Scheuringipollenites (58.49%), Ibisporites (4.71%),

Sub dominance of Faunipollenites (19.81%), Striatopodocarpites (6.6%) alongwith the

presence of Parasaccites (7.54%), Microbaculispora (0.94%), Indotriradites (0.95%), and

Striomonosaccites (0.94%).



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Conclusion

Palynological investigations have been carried out in borehole WBPS-1 from which the

following inferences have been drawn:

1. Palynologically the borehole WBPS-1 yielded 37 spore-pollen species, and two

palynoassemblages (I and II) has been documented. Identified palynoassemblages are

dominated by non-striate bisaccate along with few striate bisaccates

(Palynoassemblage-I) and striate bisaccates along with few non-striate bisaccates

(Palynoassemblage-II).

2. Palynoassemblage I (540.6-92.1 m) is discriminated by the predominance of chiefly

Scheuringipollenites, and sub-dominance of striate bisaccates (Striatopodocarpites,

Faunipollenites) indicate the Lower Barakar affinity (Artinskian age), while the

Palynoassemblage II (41.3 m) is characterized by the dominance of striate bisaccates

along with Scheuringipollenites signifies the Upper Barakar affinity (Kungurian age).

3. Palynofloral components of the present study represents a peat-forming community

mainly composed of glossopterids alongwith few cordaites and conifers. Variable low

percentage of pteridophytic spores (lycopsids, sphenopsids and filicopsids) at some

places in the succession indicates some flooding events.

The palynodata presented here provides essential information for palaeoenvironment

reconstruction, palaeofloral diversity pattern and climate change within the Barakar

sediments of the West Bokaro Coalfield. Ongoing studies will also address a high-resolution

palynostratigraphic construction of the Permian deposits.

Acknowledgements

One of the authors (CL) is thankful to the Officer incharge CIMFR Ranchi Unit for

providing samples and University Department of Geology H.O.D. for giving all kinds of

support. Authors are grateful to the Director, Birbal Sahni Institute of the Palaeosciences,



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Lucknow, India for granting permission of the palynostratigraphic study. Present paper is an

outcome of the summer training carried out at BSIP during April 2018.

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LEGENDS:

Fig.1 Map showing Gondwana basins of India (after Joyjit Dey, et al., 2018)

Fig. 2 Location map of Pundi (after Raja Rao, 1987).

Fig . 3 Showing the litholog of borehole WBPS-1

Fig. 4 Compilation Figure of the present study

Fig. 5 Stratigraphically significant palynomorphs recovered from borehole WBPS-1

1 .Horriditriletes ramosus (Balme & Hennelly) Bharadwaj & Salujha, 964, 2. Indotriradites

sparsus Tiwari, 1965, 3. Striomonosaccites ovatus Bharadwaj, 1964, 4. Plicatipollenites

indicus Lele 1964, 5. Scheuringipollenites barakarensis (Tiwari) Tiwari, 1973, 6.



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Scheuringipollenites maximus (Hart) Tiwari, 1973, 7. Ibisporites diplosaccus Tiwari, 1968, 8.

Platysaccus plicatus Bharadwaj and Dwivedi, 1981, 9. Chordasporites australiensis de

Jersey, 1962, 10. Striatopodocarpites sp., 11. Lunatisporites pellucidus (Goubin, 1965)

Maheshwari and Bnaerji, 1975, 12. Faunipollenites varius Bharadwaj, 1962

Table 1 generalized stratigraphy of the West Bokaro Coalfield (after G.S.I. 1987)

Table 2 List of recovered spore pollen species and their Botanical Affinity (after Beri et al.,

2011; Quadros et al., 1996; Diéguez and Barrón, 2005; Jasper et al., 2006, Aggarwal et al.,

2017) from borehole WBPS-1

Table 3 Palynocomposition of the borehole WBPS-1 at the different depth levels.



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Documents

JASC: Journal of Applied Science and Computations …Map showing Gondwana basins of India (after Joyjit Dey, et al., 2018) JASC: Journal of Applied Science and Computations Volume