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A palynological analysis of borehole RB-1, Raniganj Coalfield, Damodar Basin, has been presented here. Based on the quantitative analysis of the spores and pollen grains of the productive samples, three palynoassemblages have been identified: Palynoassemblage-I demarcated at a depth between 335.00 and 284.00 m is distinguished by the dominance of nonstriate bisaccate pollen Scheuringipollenites and subdominance of striate bisaccate pollen Faunipollenites suggestive of an early Permian (Artinskian) age; Palynoassemblage-II identified at a depth between 278.00 and 32.00 m shows the prominence of striate bisaccate mainly Faunipollenites, Striatopodocarpites and subdominance of Scheuringipollenites signifies late early Permian (Kungurian) age, and the youngest Palynoassemblage-III marked at a depth between 30.00 and 03.00 m contains dominance of striate disaccates pollen, viz., Striatopodocarpites, Crescentipollenites, and monosaccate pollen Densipollenites spp. (D. invisus, D. densus, D. magnicorpus) corroborate with the latest Permian Raniganj (Lopingian) age. The rare occurrence of Densoisporites contactus and Lundbladispora warti in the assemblage, define the upper limit of the Raniganj Formation. The assemblages have been correlated with the Indian as well as other Gondwanian continents. The dominance of gymnosperms pollen glossopteridales, conifers, and cordaites, lesser quantitative spores of lycopsids, sphenopsids, filiciopsids algal elements indicate that the palaeoclimatic condition was warm and high humid, during the deposition of these sediments in the study area of the Raniganj Coalfield. Research Highlights: Palynological study has been carried out for the subsurface coal deposits from the borehole RB-1, drilled at Raniganj Coalfield to attempt to establish chronology of the sediments. The palynological investigation reveals three palynoassemblage zones and dated as early to latest Permian (Artinskian to Lopingian) age and this assemblage reveals the dominance of gymnosperms plant group such as Glossopteridales followed by conifers and cordaitales. The FADs (First appearance of Datum) of Densoisporites contactus, Lundbladispora warti and Lunatisporites pellucidus in the assemblage III indicate the end of Permian period. The overall palynological composition suggests that a warm to very hot with medium to low humidity climatic condition were prevailing in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The palynostratigraphic data given here are based on the explored borecores (TRBD-2, TRBD-3 and TROD-1), by Geological Survey of India. The Permian strata worked-out is about 1174.00 m thick and comprises from base to top - Talchir, Barakar and Barren Measures formations. The palynological content enables delimitation of five palynological assemblages. (i) Scheuringipollenites barakarensis, (ii) Faunipollenites varius, (iii) Gondisporites raniganjensis, (iv) Densipollenites magnicorpus, and (v) Krempipollenites indicus in ascending order from the subsuface rock strata. The lithologically identified strata Talchir Formation in borecores TRBD-2 and TRBD-3 is palynologically dated late Early Permian in having the Scheuringipollenites barakarensis and the Faunipollenites varius palynozones. Subsequently, the part of Barakar strata in these borecores corroborates with Barakar Formation. In borecore TRBD-3, the Barren Measures rocks do not match with the palynological dates, and are affiliated with the palynoflora of the Raniganj Formation. In TROD-1, the strata identified as Barakar Formation is dated Late Permian in having Gondisporites ranigangensis Palynozone; while that of Barren Measures Formation is palynologically dated Early Triassic having Krempipollenites indicus Palynozone. The palynology has helped in the precise dating of the Lower Gondwana succession of Odari and Bartikhurd blocks in Tatapani-Ramkola Coalfield of South Rewa Gondwana Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Gondwana sediments comprising fine-grained shales, carbonaceous shales, sandstones and the coal horizon in borecore RT-4 (approximately 547.00m thick) from Tamra block, Raniganj Coalfield, Damodar Basin, are analyzed palynologically. Based on the distribution pattern of marker palynotaxa, two assemblage zones are identified. In the Barren Measures Formation, dominance of enveloping monosaccate ( Densipollenites) along with striate bisaccate ( Striatopodocarpites, Faunipollenites) pollen taxa, and the FAD's of Kamthisaccites and Arcuatipollenites observed at 30.75, have equated this strata (30.75-227.80 m thick) with the Raniganj Formation of Late Permian in age. Downwards in the Barakar Formation, between 423.80-577.70 m depths, an abundance of non-striate ( Scheuringipollenites) and striate ( Faunipollenites and Striatopodocarpites) bisaccate pollen taxa is observed, that dates late Early Permian in age. Fair occurrences of hyaline, distorted and blackish-brown plant matter is observed within 231.00-408.40 m depths. Present study infers the existence of the Raniganj Formation in the lithologically delimited Barren Measures Formation in the study area, and the underlying unproductive strata (approx. 177.40m) might represent the part of the Barren Measures Formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]