Palynological correlation of coal seams in Godavari Graben, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

The palynological study of various coal seams from Yellandu, Kothagudem, Belampalli, Ramakrishnapuram and Ramagundam coalfields of Godavari Graben has been done. The distributional pattern of various palyno-taxa has suggested the occurrence of six miospore assemblages. Miospore Assemblage E is marked by the association of Parasaccites and Scheuringipollenites. Assemblage D is characterised by the dominance of Brevitriletes. In assemblages C1, C2 and C3, Brevitriletes is associated with Hennellysporites. Indotriradites, although rare, occurs only in this assemblage. Horriditriletes and Latosporites characterise Assemblage B in association with Brevitriletes Primuspollenites gains significance only at this stage of palynofloral succession. In the youngest Assemblage A all the triletes decrease appreciably giving way to nonstriate-disaccates, Scheuringipollenites, so as to take up the dominance. The sporological succession shows only one change after Assemblage E (Upper Karharbari) was deposited. Miospore assemblages D to A represent the Lower Barakar palynoflora.

Palynostratigraphy of lower Gondwana sediments in Godawari graben, Andhra Pradesh, India

“…Besides, almost all the working coal seams of Yellandu, Kothagudem, Belampalli, Mandamari and Ramkrishnapuram areas can be accommodated within this zone in view of having nonstriate-disaccate dominant assemblages and represent Barakar (Lower) mioflora. However, the assemblages described by Srivastava (1987) contain better evidence of trilete miospores than that encountered in the present bore-holes.…”

Permian palynological assemblages in the Godavari Graben

“…Basu (1964) has suggested the occurrence of Karharbari coal seams in Godavari Graben but since then it has not been identified as a separate unit. The palynological records also suggest the existence of Karharbari sediments among the coal seams which are being worked out in various mines (Srivastava, 1987) and also subsurface sediments of Ramakrishnapuram, Budharam, Manuguru, Mailaram and Kothagudem areas. The palynological assemblages thus proVide enough evidence to identify Karharbari's in Godavari Graben.…”

“…The Upper Member of the Barakar Formation lithologically exhibit a repeated cyclothem and contains the important coal seams from Belampalli-Kothagudem areas. The palynoflora contained in these sediments compare the Lower Barakar palynoflora (Srivastava, 1987;Srivastava & Jha, 1989). The Upper Barakar palynoflora has not been encountered in any bore-hole studied from the Godavari Graben.…”