Palynological correlation of coal-bearing horizons in Gundala area, Godavari Graben, India

The distributional pattern of various palynotaxa in the coal bearing sediments recovered from six borecores (MLG-23, MLG-24, MLG-28, SGK-2, SGK-3 and SGK-4) in Gundala area of Godavari Graben has suggested occurrence of five distinct palynoassemblages: Palynoassemblage-A marked in borecore MLG-23 shows dominance of monosaccates chiefly Parasaccites along with Plicatipollenites, Cahenia-saccites, Divarisaccus, and Potonieisporites, represents Talchir palynoflora; Palynoassemblage-B characterized by dominance of radial monosaccates chiefly Parasaccites along with trilete taxa Callumispora in borecores MLG-23 and MLG-24, corresponds to Lower Karharbari palynoflora; Palynoassemblage-C distinguished in borecores MLG-24, MLG-28, SGK-2, SGK-3 and SGK-4 is marked by dominance of radial monosaccates mainly Parasaccites along with nonstriate disaccate Scheuringipollenites, represents Upper Karharbari palynoflora; Palynoassemblage-D in borecores MLG-23, MLG-24 and MLG-28 demarcated by dominance of nonstriate disaccates chiefly Scheuringipollenites, Ibisporites along with sub-dominance of few striate disaccates, viz., Faunipollenites, Striatopodocarpites, Crescentipollenites and Striatites signifies Barakar palynoflora; the youngest, Palynoassemblage-E identified in borecores MLG-24 and MLG-28 shows dominance of striate disaccates, viz., Striatopodocarpites and Faunipollenites in conjunction with Strotersporites, Crescentipollenites, Hamiapollenites, Corisaccites, Weylandites and Falcisporites. This palynoassemblage also shows the appearance of some stratigraphically significant palyno-morphs, viz., Lunatisporites, Lundbladispora, Playfordiaspora, Klausipollenites, Kamthisaccites, Gut-tulapollenites and Crustaesporites symbolizing Late Permian Raniganj palynoflora. Almost a complete palynological succession from Talchir to Raniganj has been demarcated in Lower Gondwana succession of Gundala area.