Palynodating of Subsurface Coal Measures from Mahadoli Area, Wardha Valley Coalfield, Maharashtra, India

Pataeobolani.vl 5 1(2002) : 93-98 0031-0174/2002/93·98 $2.00

Palynodating of subsurface coal measures from Mahadoli area, Wardha Valley Coalfield, Maharashtra, India

A.P. BHATIACHARYYA ANOO.S. SARATE

Birbal Salmi Institute of Palaeobotany, 53 University Road, Lucknow 226 007, India. Email: ossarate@hotmai/[email protected]

(Received 12 April 2001; revised version accepted 06 August 200 I)

ABSTRACT

Bhattacharyya AP & Sarate as 2002. Palynodating of subsurface coal measures from Mahadoli area, Wardha Valley Coalfield. Maharashtra. India. Palaeobotanist 51 : 93-98.

Two palynoassemblages have been recorded from the Permian Sequence of Mahadoli area (Borehole WM-14), Wardha Valley Coalfield. Maharashtra. The older palynoassemblage A is Scheuringipolleniles dominant while the younger palynoassemblage B is characterized by Parasacciles-Densipolleniles along with striate bisaccates. Falcisporiles and Salsangisacciles. Correlation with palynoassemblages of other coaliferous basins of India and the age of subsurface sediments have been discussed.

Key-words-Palynoassemblage. Barakar, Permian, Wardha Valley Coalfield. India..

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 'qffif ~ 'li?1(Its<;~ ~ qqf ~ ~ ~ 'li?lsl~~

i3q~~~ ~ CiiTq(1'1I°I(4Cfi~ f.fm

~ ~ ~ ~~T~ ~ -3FR1 5I1lK

mu~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ qqf QTtt~ ~ (~qfm' ~.c;q.-I4)~ B

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~n'fiq}&'1I$tiJi~ ~,~ fctT:( I lW4R if

~ ~ ~ ~f1q))felqj,~ ~ BT~-BT~ 1

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ BT~ ~OtlWiI$tlJigrHJq}&'1I$tiJi

~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~I ~

~ ~-~ ~' ~, ~, qqf QTtt~ ~,~I

INTRODUCTION Geology and Mining. Government ofMaharashtra is presently engaged in coal exploration in Mahadoli area. (longitudes HE Wardha Valley Coalfield has recently emerged as one 78°54' IS" and 20°21 '4S"latitudes) for the possibilities of coal T of the main resource for coal exploration through Open reserves in the virgin tracts of the Coalfield through subsurface Cast Mining. The main coal centers are localized in Chandrapur study. General stratigraphic succession of Wardha Valley and Yeotmal Districts of Maharashtra. The Directorate of Coalfield, Maharashtra is given below [after Raja Rao,' 1982 (fig. I»)

Age Group/Formation Lithology

Recent Alluvial gravel beds, black colton soil ') Eocene Deccan Trap Basalt Cretaceous Lameta Formation Limestones. chcns and silicified sandstones ------Unconformity------ Upper Triassic Maleri Formation Fine to medium-grained (only in the south-eastem sandstones and red shales extremity) Upper Permian Kamthi Formation Red, brown and variegated Lower Triassic sandstones, reddish siltStones and variegated shales ------Unconformity------ Lower Permian Barakar Formation Light grey to white sandstones. Shales and coal seams ') Upper Talchir Formation Tillites. turbidites. varves. Carboniferous needle shales and Lower Permian sandstones ------Unconformity------ Precambrian Sullavi Sandstones White to light brown quanzitic sandstones. conglomerates ------0 verIap------ Pakhal Limestones Grey, bluish or pinkish limestones and chens ------Uncont'ormity------ Archaean Quartzites, granite gneises. etc.

Fig. I-Generalised stratigraphic succession of Wardha Valley Coalfield.

The borehole passes through Deccan Traps, Lameta, are represented by Parasaccites with maximum occurrence of Kamthi and Barakar formations. Grey shale, sandstone, clay 18 per cent along with Caheniasacciles. (11%). Other and carbonaceous shale characterize the Barakar sediments. monosaccates are Virkkipollenites, Crucisaccites and The present study has been carried out in order to establish Potonieisporites. Trilete spores are represented only by palynological succession and its correlation with other Verrucosisporiles. Tiwariasporis is present up to 118 m depth. Gondwana Basins of India. Amongst striate bisaccate pollen, Slrialiles and The location of the borehole WM-14 is shown in Fig. 3 StrialOpodocarpites are subdominant forms. Weylmuliles and and the lithological succession present in the borehole is Ginkgocycadophytus are found to be 3% each. shown in Fig. 2. The occurrence of spores and pollen at 125 m is meager. Two palynoassemblages have been recorded from hence the percentage frequency could not be estimated. borehole WM - 14. The distribution and frequency of spores However, on the basis of taxa present, this level is considered and pollen of stratigraphic importance have been plotted (see to represent a part of the palynoassemblage A. fig. 4) to show their relative abundance through the entire depth of the borehole. Some important spores and pollen have Palynoassemblage-B been illustrated in PI. l. Occurrence-Borehole WM-14 (at 66,25-76·00 m depth). Palynoassemblage-A Lilhology-Micaceous sandstone, Carbonaceous shale. The palynoassemblage is characterized by the dominant Occurrence-Borehole WM -14 (at 106-118 m depth). presence of Parasaccites (21 %) along with striate bisaccate Lilhology-Grey shale, Carbonaceous shale, Fine genera Slriatopodocarpites and Fallllipollelliles (15%, each). grained .sandstone. Falcisporites (5%) and Smsangisacciles (6%) have also been Scheuringipollenites (32%-26%) is dominant in this recorded, along with other nonstriate genera, such as assemblage (see Fig. 4) followed by Ibisporites (10%). The Alisporites (2%) and Platysaccus (3%). Other monosaccate taxa Rhizomaspora (8%)and Prillluspolleniles (8%-3%) are genera, viz., POlOnieisporiles (3%) and Densipolle/liles (9%) frequently met within this assemblage. Monosaccate genera also record their fair occurrence in this assemblage. BHATIACHARYYA & SARATE-PALYNODATING OF SUBSURFACE COAL MEASURES FROM MAHARASHTRA ')5

Depth Sample close affinity with Lower Barakar mioflora reported from (in meter) Position Godavari Valley coalfields by Srivastava and Jha (1989.1998). 0.0 Scheuril1gipollelliles dominant zone has also been recorded 1.50 from Pathakhera Coalfield, Satpura Basin, Sarate (1986). Agashe and Chitnis (1972) reported Lower Barakar palynoflora from Hindustan-Lalpet Colliery containing dominance of Brevitrileles and Scheurillgipollelliles. Similar palynoflora has been recorded by Agashe and Geetha (1979) from Kamptee v Coalfield with dominant Scheurillgipollelliles and striate v v v bisaccate taxa but the present assemblage differs in the

~v v V v presence of monosaccate taxa Parasacciles and 64.90 06. 00 \0606I 65.60 -_-_- • Cahelliasaccites in high percentage. The present assemblage is comparable to the palynozone -V of Tiwari and Tripathi :'.:::.~::.~~'.~:.:'.:.:': Sea Ie (m.) (1992). .,. '" ' ." . The Palynoassemblage -B is characterized by the 72.82 •• ' •••••• 0-' '. o presence of Slriatopodocarpites and Faullipollelliles (lYle ------each) along with Scheurillgipollel1iles in low percentage. 76.71 a 0 ••••••• '" 5 However, Parasacciles (21 %) and Dellsipollelliles (9%). the monosaccate genera are prevalent. The occurrence of 10 DellSipol/el1ites magnicorpus along with striate bisaccates is .V· well established in Late Permian mioflora of Damodar Basin. ':".~'.:.<:~'.::~":'~'~~'<~:::: However, Falcisporites and Satsallgisaccites suggest ,:.:.::.:.:.::.::":':':':: 15 younger aspect of the palynoassemblage. The reCUITence of Parasaccites with striate bisaccate has been reported from 103.65 ~':'.':':>"::~:'.~::~'/:.\:/~Godavari Valley and Supra Barakar Formation in the Son 103.85 Index ------:-:~:~'."'::'.~'~.~. Mahanadi Valley also. The Palynoassemblage -B is closely Q Alluvi urn comparable to Palynozone - 9 of Middle member of Kamthi Formation in Godavari Valley (Srivastava, 1992). Similar ':.~.~.:.~(~'.\:'~':"::.')': Ivv v I Daccan Trap 111.94 ...... palynoassemblages have also been recorded from Jaipuram ------...... ,ooe area (Assemblage in the borehole GJP-I; Srivastava & Jha, 115 25 ;-;;-. -: :-. -:-."7 : ~()\}I Conglornarate .I I , f I I Il I 1992), Ramakrishnapuram area (in borehole GJRK- 25). 117.62, I' t t { r II - - Shale Bhopalpalli area (Palynoassemblage - III, Srivastava & Jha. 13 1998), 1989). ~ Johilla Coalfield, Son Valley (Tiwari &Ram-Awatar 118.30 0~.~\~~~.:':\:.::.:': 0.... Sand stone and from Supra Barakar sediments in Son Valley (Assemblage - 5; Tiwari & Ram-Awatar, 1987). The occurrence of ~ Clay 125.90 UljJl~iSi~J 126.40 ...... ~ Carbo shale SCALE --- !N...ogn , . : \ Fig. 2-Showing the levels of yielding samples in the lithological suc ! ''''''',, cession . ' / J-" ,l\ The shale at 76·00 m depth contains lesser frequency of : :'~.. spores and pollen grains but since it contains D. l1Iagl1icorpus " ,:'It "G,',., :: .. (2%), it is preferred to retain it in Palynoassemblage B. ~. . .. :!. '" / : OhO~OI'

~HW""-li.~~ ;. .~. . " COMPARISON I ./" : .. ~ ,; '::''''~./ o ,::' ::J!;"awo A Scheuringipollel1ites dominant mioflora has been 70" >( reported from the lower part of the Barakar Formation in //<"/./,...,....~. Damodar Basin, Son Mahanadi Basin, Satpura Basin and :-" ...... A.SI Godavari Valley coalfields but in the present assemblage it is "''''0''['11 '"," associated with Parasaccites (18%) along with a"I"o' U'IH' Cahelliasaccites (11%) and Primuspollenites, thus having a Fig. 3-Sh:lwing [he location of Borehole WM- 14 (DGM. Nagpul) 96 THE PALAEOBOTANIST

NAME OF GENERA

BREVITRILETES TIWARIASPORIS • VERRUCOSISPORITES • • DENSIPOLLENITES • CAHENIASACCITES • - • CRUCISACCITES PARASACCITES • - VIRKKIPOLLENITES • POTONIEISPORITES • ILLINITES • FALCISPORITES IBISPORITES - • - SCHEURINGIPOLLENITES • VESICASPORA - AliSPORITES • PLATYSACCUS - - • SATSANGISACCITES - PRIMUSPOLLENITES RHIZOMASPORA - - - STRIATOPODOCARPITES • • -• FAUNIPOLLENITES • - STIATITES • - GINKGOCYCADOPHYTUS - - WEYLANDITES • - • --~ .. - p:'.Ilynoassemblaqe A ....• palynoassembl:3lq~B DEPTH IN METRE '25.90m "810m 115.25m -106.00m 760am 66.25m SCALE .10% = ••••

Fig. 4-Frequency distribution of important spores and pollen in the Borehole WM - 14. Mahanadi area. Wardha Valley Coalfield. Maharaslllr~

Parasaccifes in high percentage is known from Talchir palynoflora is an indication for the occurrence of Lower Formation. Hence, it is possible that Wardha Valley Coalfield Gondwana coals in Mahadoli area, Maharashtra. experienced a prolonged cooler climate. A cool climate has also been suggested during Upper Permian and Lower Panchet by Tiwari and Tripathi (1988). However, CallulI1ispora has Acknowledgements-The C/lIlhors are Ihankfullo Professor Anshll not been observed in the present assemblage. A Permo-Triassic Kumar Sinha. DireC/OI; Birbal Sal1l1i Illslilllle of Palaeobolall\'. plant microfossi I assemblage from sediments of glacial origin LucknOlv for his pl'r/1/ission for Ihe publicalion of Ihese reSIlIIS. We have also been reported from Sri Lanka (Dahanayaka ef ai., also wish 10 eXlend our Ihanks /0 Mr RG Deshl1lukh, DireClor alld 1989). Mr SV Savakhande Joim-DireC/or, Direc/Orctle of Geology alld Mining. GoV!. of Maharasillra, Nagpllr for Ihe help eXlellded for CONCLUSION col/eCiion of samples. The aUlllOrs are also indebled /0 Dr Sliresh C SrivaslGvafor his valuable suggeslions alld Ihe help exlended by Mr PS Kaliyar. In Mahadoli area, two palynoassemblages have been recorded (Palynoassemblage A & B) below the Deccan Traps, which represent Lower Barakar and Lower Panchet REFERENCES palynofloras, respectively. The absence of intervening Agashe SN & Chitnis SR 1972. Palynology of a Permian coal seam palynoassemblages of the Upper Permian could be explained from Hindustan Lalpet Colliery. Chandrapur District. envisaging a break in sedimentation after Lower Barakar. The Maharashtra, India. In: AK Ghosh 1'1 al. (Editors)-Proceedings presence of a Boulder Conglomerate bed at 103,65-103,85 m of the Seminar on Palaeopalynology and Indian Stratigraphy. depth substantiates this observation. The presence of Barakar Calcutta (1971): 21-29.

PLATE 1 ,/" (All magnifications x ca 500. unless otherwise mentioned. All photomicrographs have been taken in DIC). Coordinates have been staled with respect 10 England Finder Readings.

I. P.I'i/a/a('illite.l' sp. Slide No. BSIP 12581 (0 4313). 9. Distrialiles IJilateralis Slide No. BSIP 12582 (W 41). 2 Allapi('u/ali.l'porile.l' sp. Slide No. BSIP 12582 (R 3/1). 10. Arcualipollelliles sp. Slide No. BSIP 12584 (J /44). 3. l.eiOlri/eles sp. Slide No. BSIP 12581 (U 24/4). II. II/illites diserlus Slide No. BSIP 12583 (J 4712). 4. Srileuringipol/enile.< lenlu/u.' Slide No. BSIP 12581 (P 33/2). 12. Fa/l'isporile., JlalJilis Slide No. BSIP 12586 (N 132). 5 RhiZOllla.l'pora indil'a Slide No. BSIP 12584 (J 36). 13 PIiI'Q/ipol/elli/eJ indi('uJ Slide No. BSIP 12583 (K ~9/4). 6. Cunealisporilt'S maju.l· Slide No. BSIP 12586 (N 3/32). 14. Prillluspol/eni/eJ JingraliliensiJ Slide No. BSIP 12586 (R /(1). 7. AIi.'poriles sp. Slide No. BSIP 12587 (P 58/3). 15. Tiwariasporis .f/avalUs Slide No. BSIP 12585 (L 5312) 8. Sat.langisal·('iles sp. Slide No. BSIP 12587 (P 58/3). 16 Brevilri/eles unirus Slide No. BSIP 12583 (U /56). BHAlIACHARYYA & SARATE-PALYNODATING OF SUBSURFACE COAL MEASURES FROM MAHARASHTRA 97

1 2.

15 16

PLATE1 98 THE PALAEOBOTANIST

Agashe SN & Geetha KR 1979. PalaeopalynologicaJ studies of Lower Srivastava Suresh C & Jha N 1992. Penman palynostratigraphy in Gondwana strata with particular reference to certain coal seams Ramakrishnapuram area. Godavari Graben. Andhra Pradesh. India. from Kamptee Coalfield, Nagpur, Maharashtra State. Geophytology 20 : 83-95. Geophytology 9 : 116-123. Srivastava Suresh C & Jha N 1998, Palynology of Lower Gondwana Dahanayaka Kapila, Jayasena HAH, Singh BK, Tiwari RS & Tripathi sediments in the Bhopalpalli area. Godavari Graben. Journal of A 1989. A Penno-Triassic (?) plant microfossil assemblage from Palaeontological Society India. 43: 41-48, Sri Lanka. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology 58 : 197-203, Tiwari RS & Ram-Awatar 1987, Palynostratigraphic studies or Raja Rao CS 1982. Coal resources of Tamil Nadu. Andhra Pradesh, subsurface Supra Barakar sediments from Korar Coalfield, Son Orissa and Maharashtra. Bulletin of Geological Survey of India. Valley, Madhya Pradesh. Geophytology 17 : 256-264, Ser. A No. 45. Coalfields of Maharashtra, Wardha Valley Coal field Tiwari RS & Ram-Awatar 1989. Sporae-dispersae and correlation of : 62-73. Gondwana sediments in Johilla Coalfield. Son Valley Graben. Sarate OS 1986. Palynological correlation of the coal seams of Madhya Pradesh. Palaeobotanist 37 : 94-114, Pathakhera Coalfield, Madhya Pradesh, India. Geophytology 16 Tiwari RS & Tripathi A 1988, Palynological zones and their climatic : 239-248. inference in the coal-bearing Gondwana of Peninsular India, Srivastava Suresh C 1992, Permian palynological assemblages in Palaeobotanist 36 : 87-I 0 I. Godavari Graben. Palaeobotanist 40: 237-243. Tiwari RS & Tripathi A 1992. Marker Assemblage - Zones orspore, Srivastava Suresh C & Jha N 1989. Palynostratigraphy of Lower and pollen species through Gondwana Palaeozoic and Mesozoic Gondwana sediments in Godavari Graben, Andhra Pradesh, India. sequence in India, Palaeobotanist 40 : 194·236, Palaeobotanist 37: 199-209.