Palynostratigraphy of the Lower Gondwana sediments from Shobhapur Block, Pathakhera Coalfield, Madhya Pradesh

Abstract

Palynofloral investigations carried out on bore-hole samples from Shobhapur Block, Pathakhera Coalfield in Madhya Pradesh revealed two distinct palynofloral assemblages. Assemblage Zone-1 is rich in radial monosaccates, chiefly Parasaccites and includes the lowermost coal seam of the area, the Bagdona Seam. Assemblage Zone-2 is characterised by the dominance of nonstriate disaccate-Scheuringipollenites, distributed in the younger coal seams including lower (Middle) and upper (Top workable). Assemblage Zone-1, corresponding to the known Upper Karharbari palynofloras, establishes the existence of Karharbari sediments in Shobhapur Block of Pathakhera Coalfield, which were hitherto assigned to Barakar Formation The Barakar palynoflora has continued into the lower part of Motur Formation in bore hole no. CMPS-43 of Shobhapur Block.