Petro-palynological study of the coals exposed near Gopal prasad of Talcher coalfield (Orissa), India

Abstract

The samples collected from the exposed beds of coal near Gopal Prasad have been studied since no previous knowledge exists about the microstructure and microfossil contents of this coal.

The coals are typically dull, fine-grained and hard in nature. They are constituted by Vitrinite, Exinite, Inertinite organic macerals and sedimentary mineral matter. Among these Inertinite and mineral grains dominate the coal components. Rapid alternative bands of Durite and Carbargillite and increasing high percentage of mineral matter makes the coal duller and shaly.

Sporological analysis reveals that the coal consists of 20 genera including a number of trilete, monolete, monosaccate and bisaccate spores. The miospore assemblage dominates in striated bisaccate spores with subdominance of non-striaten pollen. Trilete miospores are less common, while monosaccates are rare. The common striated bisaccate genera are Faunipollenites, Striatopodocarpites, Lahirites and Striatites while nonstriated bisaccate genus is Sulcatisporites.

Petro-palynologically, compared with the Lower Seam and Upper Seam No. 1 of Talcher Coalfield and others, the coals are of very inferior quality and referable to Upper Barakar Stage in Lower Gondwana sequence.