Journal of Geological Society of India (Online archive from Vol 1 to Vol 78)

Bandana Samant ¹, D. M. Mohabey ², D. K. Kapgate ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Geology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi - 221 005, IN
2 Geological Survey of India, Palaeontology Division, Seminary Hills, Nagpur - 440 006, IN
3 Department of Botany, J M Patel College, Bhandara - 441 904, IN

Abstract

A diversified palynoassemblage has been recorded from the Singpur intertrappean of Chhindwara District, Madhya Pradesh, that has earlier yielded megafloral remains. The section is strategic as it is located between the Chhindwara-Mandla-Jabalpur(CMJ) sector to the north and Nand-Dongargaon (ND) basin to the south, that have so far produced a majority of the palynologically studied intertrappean sections associated with the Deccan Volcanic Sequence (DVS). In this context the palynological assessment of the Singpur intertrappean is critical for establishing a spatio-temporal correlations of the sediments of the two widely separated volcanic sub-Provinces/regions.

The Singpur palynoassemblage shows presence of marker Late Cretaceous (Maastnchtian) palynotaxa viz. Aquilapollemtes bengalensis, Anadnaespontes sp., Gabonisports spp. and Pulcheripollemtes cauvenana associated with primitive stephanocolpate pollen. The appearance of polyaperturate pollen grains in the central India is significant as it suggests the evolutionary trend in the angiosperms during latest Cretaceous. The overall assemblage of the Singpur is indicated to be coeval with the Sindhi intertrappean bed of ND basin, and younger than the dinosaur bearing intertrappean beds of Mohagaon kalan (well section) and Ranipur of CMJ sector in the north. It is also indicated that the famous iridium bearing intertrappean section at Anjar (Kutch) associated with dinosaurs (Titanosaurus indicus) and deposited during 29 R, is older to the Singpur intertrappean bed.

Keywords

Late Cretaceous, Intertrappean Beds, Palynomorphs, Madhya Pradesh.

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Bandana Samant ¹, C. V. Sakurkar ², P. Kundal ¹, D. M. Mohabey ³

Affiliations
1 Postgraduate Department of Geology, Nagpur University, Nagpur - 440 001, IN
2 Directorate of Geology and Mining, Shivaji Nagar, Nagpur - 440 001, IN
3 Palaeontology Division, Geological Survey of India, Nagpur - 440 006, IN

Abstract

A 164 m thick Deccan volcano sedimentary sequence comprising five flows, separated by four inter-Trap beds and overlying the Lameta Formation, has been encountered in borehole KA-I , drilled by the Directorate of Geology and Mining (DGM) for the coal exploration in Khandala-Ashta area of Wardha District, Maharashtra. Of these, the inter trap between the two lowermost flows has yielded a rich spore-Pollen assemblage that is dominated by angiosperms and pteridophytes. The presence of palynotaxa such as Azolla cretacea, Ariadnaesporites sp., Gabonisporis vigourouxii, Triporoletes reticulatus and Aquilapollenites bengalensis, suggests a Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) age for the sediments. The palynomorphs are associated with a rich dinoflagellate assemblage mostly comprising of Palaeoperidinium and Selenopemphix. The study indicates that the changing climatic and depositional scenario owing to Deccan volcanic eruption has possibly offered the suitable ecological niche for the first appearance of dinoflagellates and gradual domination of the angiosperm flora in the non-Marine ecosystem during Late Cretaceous in India.

Keywords

Dinoflagellates, Inter-Trappeans, Wardha District, Maharashtra.

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