Characterisation of organic source material from Tatapani and Ramkola coalfields, Chhattisgarh, India.

Abstract

Detailed study of the coal microconstituents from Tatapani and Ramkola coalfields has revealed preservation of leaf sections, cork cells, microspores, megaspores, algae, resins, seeds and fruiting bodies. The completely intact leaf sections showing various tissues are reported here for the first time from Early Permian coals. Occurrence of such well preserved plant structures indicates that certain part of Indian Lower Gondwana coals could be partially of autochthonous in origin, while the Gondwana coals are known to have been formed by drifted plant matter, as also confirmed by the presence of distorted material. The palaeodepositional environment and nature of coal forming plant community has also been discussed.