english final - Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany

BIRBAL SAHNI INSTITUTE OF PALAEOBOTANY
Annual Report 2004-2005
Component 5: Petrographic atlas of Indian coals and lignites
Searched and recorded the maceral exsudatinite on a
large number of coal pellets for their correct identification and
proper characterization. Computer-scanned hundreds of photomicrographs
(exposed under normal and fluorescent lights) of
macerals of Indian coals and lignites, besides associated mineral
matter in order to compile them in the form of an atlas.
Photomicrography on coal pellets and scanning of
photomicrographs and their trimming and sharpening through
computer was also done.
B.K. Misra & B.D. Singh
Thrust Area: PALAEOBIOLOGY OF PHANEROZOIC BASINS AND ITS BEARING ON
HYDROCARBON POTENTIAL
Project 6: Palaeofloristics, Evolutionary trends and Palaeoenvironment of
Late Cretaceous-Cenozoic basins
Component 1: Tertiary floristics of north-western peninsular India
Studied 50 wood samples (thin sections) from the
Tertiary sediments of Bhavnagar and Kachchh districts of
Gujarat. Identified a few wood samples from the Plio-
Pleistocene sediments of Piram Island (Bhavnagar). The
identified woods represent the modern genera Cynometra,
Diospyros, Ficus, Millettia- Pongamia, Cassia and a palm wood.
From the Eocene deposits of Vastan lignite mine, Surat,
4 types of dicotyledonous woods have been identified. In
addition, palynological investigation of Vastan samples is
undertaken (with J.P. Mandal), and recovered a rich
palynoassemblage dominated by angiospermous pollen. Some
of the important taxa identified are— Acanthotricolpites,
Dracaenoipollis, Florschuetzia (Rhizophoraceae),
Proxapertites, Spinozonocolpites (Nypa), etc. The assemblage
suggests deposition of lignite in deltaic conditions under
brackish water influence and prevalence of warm, humid tropical
climate.
J.S. Guleria
Component 2: Palynology, facies analysis, palaeoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental studies on
Palaeocene-Eocene sediments in Rajasthan Basin
Carried out comprehensive study of palynofloras
recorded from Giral lignite mine and those from bore-holes drilled
near Kapurdi and Jalipa in Barmer district, with an aim to
correlate sequences. Palynological assemblage from the lignite
mine and that from the bore-hole MJ-4 are very similar as, both
of these exhibit coastal elements as the dominant constituents.
The assemblage is marked with profuse occurrence of
monosulcate pollen assignable to different species of
Spinizonocolpites. These forms possess an extended sulcus
parallel to the polar axis and exhibit spinulate exine. This pollen,
in all probabilities is related with modern brackish water Palm
Nypa. Other significant monosulcate pollen taxa present in the
assemblage are Kapurdipollenites gemmatus and K. baculatus.
These pollen also possess an extended sulcus but are distinctly
different in exinal characters. Affinity of these pollen with those
of Nypa can not be ruled out. Another interesting monosulcate
form is Retiverrumonosulcites barmerensis. The sulcus in this
pollen is small and is characteristically bordered with clavae of
varying sizes. It is significant to note that these forms are
confined to the Barmer Basin only.
S.K.M. Tripathi
Component 3: Tertiary floristics of peninsular India from Ratnagiri, Neyveli, Kerala, Bahur Basin
(Pondicherry) and the adjoining areas
Carried out sectioning and investigation on 50
carbonised woods collected from Ratnagiri beds, Neyveli lignite
and Kerala. Investigated fossil fruits and leaves from Ratnagiri,
Payangadi mines (Kerala) and Neyveli, and identified some of
fossil leaves, fruits and seeds after comparing them with their
modern counterparts at CNH (Howrah). Further study is in
progress. SEM study of fossil leaves and seeds/fruits is also
in process. Further contribution of fossil leaves from Neyveli
lignite is in process. Undertook a field work in Kerala (Varkala,
Cannanore, Payangadi, Kundra, Quilon), Tamil Nadu (Neyveli
lignite), Pondicherry and adjoining areas and collected varied
plant megafossils (fruit, leaves, carbonized and petrified
woods). Sorting and documentation of fresh materials have
been completed. Sectioning of remaining woods, seed/fruits
and morphological /SEM study of leaf cuticles will be continued.
Anil Agarwal
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