Runcie P. Mathews

Palynology, palaeoecology and palaeodepositional environment of Eocene lignites and associated sediments from Matanomadh mine, Kutch Basin, western India

Extensive Cenozoic lignite-bearing sediments in the western part of Kutch, western India provide a unique opportunity to study the floral diversity at a crucial time of early Eocene Climatic Optimum (EECO). Rock samples representing a lignite-bearing sequence from the open cast mine at Matanomadh, Gujarat, western India were collected to study the palynofloral composition and to interpret the palaeoclimate and environment of deposition. The sequence mainly composed of lignites, shales and calcareous mudstones yielded rich assemblage consists of pteridophytic spores (7 genera, 10 species), angiosperm pollens (20 genera, 26 species), fungal remains (14 genera, 16 species) and dinoflagellate cysts. The palynofloral assemblage is marked with dominance of angiospermic pollen, particularly those having affinity with the family Arecaceae. Occurrence of fungal remains in high abundance is also noticed. Based on palynomorph contents, the studied sequence is divisible into two palynozones. It is inferred that lower part of the sequences was deposited in a near-shore environment with intermittent marine incursions whereas the depositional regime of upper part was shallow marine. The climate is found to be tropical-subtropical, humid with heavy precipitation during the deposition of Matanomadh lignite-bearing sequence.

Characterization of Panandhro Lignite Deposits (Kachchh Basin), western India: Results from the Bulk Geochemical and Palynofloral Compositions

Characterization of the Panandhro lignite deposits from western Indian state of Gujarat, based on the geochemical and palynological evidences, has been performed to assess the floral composition, maturity and hydrocarbon potential of the sequence. Elementally, the lignites consist of moderate carbon, low hydrogen and moderate sulfur contents. The samples are characterized by high TOC contents (lignite: av. 46.43 wt.%, resin: 62.47 wt.%). The average HI values for the lignite is 136 mg HC/g TOC, and that of the associated resin is 671 mg HC/g TOC. The highest Tmax is recoded in lignite (422°C) and lowest in the resin (39°C) samples. The FTIR spectrum of lignite is characterized by highly intense OH stretching peak ~3350 cm-1, aliphatic CHx stretching peaks between 3000-2800 cm-1, aromatic C=O stretching and an aromatic C=C stretching. The spectrum of resin shows strongest absorption due to aliphatic CHx stretching between 2940-2915 cm-1 and 2870-2850 cm-1, and deformation by the medium peak between 1450 and 1650 cm-1. The recovered palynofloral assemblage indicates the dominance of angiosperm pollen grains with maximum abundance of Arecaceae family, and subdominant pteridophytic spores. Marine influence is indicated by the presence of abundant dinoflagellate cysts. The occurrence of flora from a variety of ecological niches suggests a luxuriant diverse vegetation pattern existed in the vicinity of depositional site under humid tropical conditions. The overall characteristics of the lignite deposits point towards their ability to generate (upon maturation) hydrocarbons as they have types III–II admixed kerogen (organic matters).

Evaluation of Organic Matter, Hydrocarbon Source, and Depositional Environment of Onshore Warkalli Sedimentary Sequence from Kerala-Konkan Basin, South India

Multidisciplinary analysis of the carbonaceous sediments of Warkalli Formation (Mio-Pliocene) from the Warkalli cliff section has been done to assess the source of organic matter, palaeodepositional settings and the hydrocarbon potential. The n-alkane distribution from n-C12 to n-C33 along with bimodal distribution indicates significant organic matter contribution from microbial activity and higher plants. The contribution from angiosperm source vegetation is indicated by the oleanane type of triterpenoids. The hopanes distribution indicates the immature stage of the organic matter, which is in agreement with the Tmax (av. 401 °C) and huminite reflectance (av. 0.28% Rr) values. The total organic carbon (TOC) contents vary between 0.8 and 6.72 wt. % in the studied sediments. Hydrogen index and oxygen index values range from 16 to106 mg HC/g TOC, and 113 to 344 mg CO2/g TOC, respectively. The maceral content is low, being dominated by the detrohuminite submaceral and the mineral matter accounts for 68 to 77% of the total composition. The phytoclast group (63–87%) is dominant with subordinate amorphous organic matter (4–35%). The study shows that the sediments were deposited in a marginal suboxic basin with intermittent variations. All the parameters unequivocally suggest that the studied sequence holds the potential to generate gaseous hydrocarbons.