Organisational Structure - Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany

Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany
Carried out LM and SEM documentation of
nannofossil assemblage from the basal most level of
Jara Dome section, Kachchh. The assemblage contains
marker Ansulsphaera helvetica, Stephanolithion bigotii,
S.hexum, S.speciosum, Watznaeuria manivitae along
with other Jurassic nannoflora. The assemblage is
assignble to NJ 12a A.helvetica zone. A manuscript on
the aspect is prepared. Another manuscript entitled “An
overview of nannofossil records of India” has been
completed.
J. Rai
Prepared the project proposal entitled “Forensic
palynology - A new research frontier for BSIP”.
C. Sharma & M.S. Chauhan
Finalised two papers entitled ‘Biodeterioration:
An aerobiological approach’ and ‘Aeromycological
studies in relation to biodeterioration of cultural
properties’.
Discussion and interaction were made with Prof.
Sandy Harrison and other members of INDSUBIO in
documentation of pollen and plant macrofossil data sets
for 6,000 and 18,000 yr. BP during Workshop held in
Germany. Also helped in construction of global maps
of biomes using a standard objective biomisation
technique based on plant functional types (PFT). Also
prepared Lucknow pollen data set of 48 surface samples
(mud, soil, water and moss-cushions) collected from
different parts of city and adjoining areas on the basis
of recognised plant functional types for inclusion in
BIOME 6000.
A. Khandelwal
Continued work from the garden plot area laid
around historical site Humayun’s Tomb, New Delhi to
have a know-how of the gardening activities during
Mughal times. Pollen analytical investigations of soil
samples (2.70 & 2.00 m deep profiles) have been
completed. Three samples from trench-I, measuring 260-
270 cm, 160-170 cm and 80-100 cm, have been 14 C
dated to 7970 ±220 Yrs. B.P., 2120 ±200 Yrs. B.P. and
1670 ±170 Yrs. B.P. respectively. Samples in the upper
horizon only seem to date close to Mughal period. The
palynomorphs recovered are very low in frequency.
However, productivity in organic content is very high.
Large number of wood charcoals and cuticle pieces,
fragments of conifer woody tissues showing cross-field
pit areas have also been recorded.
The study has recorded the sporadic occurrence
of non-arboreal pollen grains belonging to Poaceae,
Cyperaceae, Brassicaceae, Tubulifloreae (Asteraceae),
Acanthaceae, Cheno/Ams and fungal spores of
Ascospores, Nigrospores, Tiliospores, Helminthosporium
etc. indicating open type of vegetation. Besides,
the frequent encounter of large-sized Cerealia type of
pollen along with other culture pollen taxa such as
Plantago, Brassicaceae, Cheno/Ams and charcoal pieces
in good number through out the sequence implies that
the area was under agricultural practices. Pollen of
Asteraceae in appreciable number are of particular
significance to suggest that this area was being used as
pasture land by the local inhabitants through early time.
Cedrus deodara pollen denotes its transportation from
Himalayan region. The fragmentary gymnosperm woody
tissues showing the cross-field pits of Pinoid, Piceoid and
Taxodioid types, suggest the economic use of soft-woods
made available from Himalayan forests. Fern spores, leaf
cuticle showing stomata, Concentricystis and Acritarchs,
etc. have also been scantily found.
C. Srivastava
Submitted two revised write-ups— i) Radio ke
liye lekhan, and ii) Saakshatkar, to Indian Science
Communication Society, Lucknow for the Distance
Education Course on Science Journalism under NCSTC/
DST programme, initiated during the Workshop held at
BSIP (in 1998).
C.M. Nautiyal
Finalised the data on interpretation of climatic
changes around Surinsar Lake (Jammu) based on
elemental analysis, 14 C dating of sediment samples and
palynological study. Interpretation of glacial fluctuations
on the basis of the palynological, chemical and 14 C age
data of sediment profile from an outwash plain at
Bhojwasa near Gangotri Glacier, Garhwal Himalayas
have also been finalised. Holocene sea level changes
on the basis of palynostratigraphical and geochemical
studies of Pichavaram, Tamil Nadu have also been
finalised. The microwave digestion system MDS 2100
is being used regularly for preparation of samples for
chemical analysis and palynological studies.
B. Sekar & G. Rajagopalan
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