Organisational Structure - Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany

Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany
Contribution other than Project Work
Finalised a chapter on Permian Ferns in India
for book ‘Gondwana Alive’ to be published from
South Africa.
S. Chandra & K.J. Singh
Finalised a chapter on Lycopod Galore for
book ‘Gondwana Alive’ to be published from South
Africa. Also compiled the distribution pattern of
megaspores in different horizons of India during
Permian. In spite of their plentiful occurrence, the
megaspores show inconsistent stratigraphic
distribution pattern. Their number is low in Talchir,
increases in Karharbari and Barakar, and decreases in
Barren Measures and Raniganj formations. The
megaspores of Talchir Formation are usually simple
in structure with a smooth (laevigate) escosporium and
unpitted mesosporium. However, structural complexity
increases in the overlying Karharbari and Barkar
formations from where all the three kinds the azonate,
zonate and gulate megaspores are reported. The
azonate exhibit a variety of ornamentations. The zonate
and gulate megaspores are absent from Barren
Measures and Raniganj formations. Exosporium in
these formations too, exhibits only few variations.
R. Tewari
Analysed the subsurface material received
from the Coal Wing, Geological Survey of India from
Tatapani-Ramkola and Singrauli coalfields. During
a field trip (along with Vijaya) to Singrauli Coalfield
subsurface as well as outcrop samples were collected
from Mahuli block.
A. Tripathi
Compiled data to establish the
phytostratigraphical succession in the Glossopteris flora
of India. Fragmentary remains of plants and spore–pollen
have been reported from the beds directly overlying the
glacial boulder bed. The earliest known plant fossils
are gymnosperms and are represented by the species of
Gangamopteris and Pantophyllum. The palynological
assemblage from this level is predominated by
monosaccate pollens. The succeeding assemblage shows
an increase in number of Glossopteris sp., and the first
appearance of definite pteridophytes in the flora. Oldest
Gondwana coals were laid down at this level. The next
zone is a true Glossopteris dominated assemblage, the
palynological assemblage reflecting a marked increase
in the percentage of disaccate-striate pollen. It is followed
by a very poor assemblage, which, however, is rich in
Densipollenites pollen. The younger assemblages are
richest in variety and number of pteridophytes and
gymnosperms, which reflects both in macro– and microflora.
U. Bajpai
Studied the nature of sedimentary organic matter
from Suket Shale Formation (850-900 Ma), Vindhyan
Supergroup exposed in Mandsaur district (MP) under
LM and SEM. It shows the prominence of structured
and grey amorphous types of organic matter. Two types
of framboids are seen, one with smooth surface and other
with spinules. The framboids are syngenetic in origin.
The presence of framboids suggests the prevalence of
euxinic conditions during the deposition of Suket Shales.
The organic matter is highly mature and seems to have
released certain types of hydrocarbons during successive
stages of diagenesis.
M. Shukla, U. Bajpai, M. Kumar, G.P.
Srivastava & Anand-Prakash
Finalised a paper entitled “Biostratigraphy and
palaeoecology of Lower Permian sediments of West
Bokaro Coalfield, Bihar, India”.
R. Saxena
Prepared a paper entitled “Sedimentary organic
matter characterisation from intermontane Karewa Basin
of Kashmir valley”. The study has shown the evidences
of forest fire/bacterial degradation in the Kashmir
lignites.
R. Saxena, O.S. Sarate & Anand-Prakash
Checked literature and prepared reference cards
for a catalogue of Indian Tertiary plant megafossils
published during 1989-2001 to update the earlier
catalogue (Srivastava, 1991).
R. Srivastava & J.S. Guleria
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