Palynology of Langrin Coalfield, South Shillong Plateau, Meghalaya

Abstract

Palynology of Langrin Coalfield, Khasi Hills, Meghalaya is reported here. The spore-pollen assemblage recovered from five coal seams associated with Tura Formation comprises 30 genera and 56 species. Presence of dinoflagellate cysts and fungal remains has also been observed. Five new species viz., Gemmamonocolpites dimorphous, Clavamonocolpites indicus, Spinizonocolpites indicus. S. wodehousei and S. bulbospinosus are described. A quantitative assessment of the assemblages for each seam has been done. Pteridophytic spores dominate in coal seams 1 and 2 but gradually decrease in the upper seams, while angiospermic pollen behave in more or less vice-versa with that of pteridophytic spores. Ecological grouping of palynofossils suggests the occurrence of coastal swamp and brackish-water mangrove communities during the deposition of coal seams. Absence of gymnospermic pollen in the assemblage indicates a flat topography of the basin. Palaeocene age has been assigned to this palynological assemblage.