Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

PALAEOENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE OF ALGAL MICROFOSSILS FROM YELLANDU COALFIELD AREA OF GODAVARI GRABEN, TELANGANA STATE, INDIA

D. S. Seetharam and H. Ramakrishna

Abstract

The present palynological study deals with the record of algal microfossils (acritarchs) first time from subsurface sediments of bore hole Q-563 of Yellandu coalfield area (Jawahar Khani-5 coal block), Kothagudem sub-basin and their significance to determine the relative age and depositional environment of the study area. Sixty samples were thoroughly analyzed from the Jawahar khani-5 and recorded 3 fossil algal species viz., Leiosphaeridia sp. belongs to Prasinophyceae, Balmeella sp. of Schizomorphitae, and Tetraporina sp. Of Zygnematophyceae. These acid resistant algal microfossils along with the palynostratigraphic markers of Barakar Formation of study area show the Early Permian affinity. Marine incursion is reflected by the presence of palynomorphs such as Leiosphaeridia sp., Tetraporina sp. and Balmeela sp. Presence of these algal elements indicate the marine environment and hence the depositional Yellandu coalfield area is nearby shallow marine environment.