Ib River Research Articles

DNA Barcoding of Fish in the Ib River, One of the Important Tributaries of the Mahanadi River, India

DNA Barcoding of Fish in the Ib River, One of the Important Tributaries of the Mahanadi River, India

Formation of Brahmani Natural Arch, Eastern India: A proposed geoheritage site of India

Natural arch is one of the most fascinating geomorphological features formed by erosional process and many of them are formed within gently dipping sandstone. A natural arch (Location: 21°54′32.20″ N, 83°43′46.20″ E, RL: ∼370 m) of such type is present in the rocks of Upper Kamthi Formation of Middle Jurassic age (160–184 Ma), Upper Gondwana Group, Ib River Coalfield within dense Chhengapahar Reserve Forest near Brahmani Village, Sundargarh District, Odisha. This oval shaped natural arch with a maximum length and height of ∼30 m at the base and ∼12 m respectively. The alcove of the natural arch has maximum height and width of ∼7 m and ∼15 m respectively, is opened along NE-SW direction on the top of the hill. Flesh red colored, ripple topped, trough to planar cross stratified, coarse to gritty, texturally and mineralogically immature, ferruginous sandstone of Upper Kamthi Formation forms the hill. Kaolinisation of feldspathic members makes the sandstone loose and porous. Two orthogonal set of faults-joints (130°/60°W and 40°/60°E) initiated the formation of natural arch while the porosity of the immature, arkosic sandstone accelerate the process through subaerial weathering where surface/rain water percolation–temperature fluctuation played effective roles. Therefore, the formation of natural arch is a result of structurally triggered weathering and erosion. Efforts have already been taken to preserve this place as national geo-heritage site by Geological Survey of India, Government of India.

Megafloristics of fossiliferous beds from Chaurimal nala section and Thungiadera section, Ib River Coalfield, Odisha, India, and their biostratigraphic and palaeoclimatic implications

Megafloristics of fossiliferous beds from Chaurimal nala section and Thungiadera section, Ib River Coalfield, Odisha, India, and their biostratigraphic and palaeoclimatic implications

Insect traces on Lower Gondwana plants of Ib River Basin, Odisha: First record from Late Permian sediments of India

ABSTRACTThe Ib River Basin, located in the south‐eastern part of the Son‐Mahanadi Master Basin, is renowned for its reserve of well‐diversified Lower Gondwana plant megafossils. The remains of Glossopteris flora collected from a Late Permian Gondwana (Lower Kamthi Formation) exposure, near Himgir Village, Ib River Basin, Odisha, has demonstrated a record of different types of insect traces. The structures are compatible with a variety of insect activities on fossil leaves. Different feeding traces such as leaf margin and surface feeding traces, cuspate margin feeding traces, obliterated surfaces and blotch marks are found in the Glossopteris leaves. Egg pouches found along the midrib and on the lamina in the Glossopteris leaves are the traces of egg‐laying. The various traces of insect activities recorded in the present investigation reveal the survival of a diverse insect fauna during the Late Permian Glossopteris flora of India. It is the first report of its kind in the Mahanadi Gondwana Master Basin of India, and also it is the first record of insect traces in the Late Permian sediments of India.

Late Permian species diversity of the genus Glossopteris in and around Himgir, Ib River Basin, Odisha, India, with a clue on palaeoclimate and palaeoenvironment

The Ib River Basin, situated in the south-eastern part of the Mahanadi Master Basin, has always been in focus for its record of well-diversified Lower Gondwana plant mega fossils. A good number of plant mega fossils has been collected from a newly constructed road section near Himgir Village, Sundargarh District, Ib River Basin, Odisha, India (21°45′ 47″ N Latitude and 83° 42′ 28″ E Longitude). The collection of plant fossils from this locality represents the dominance of highly diversified Glossopteris genus (46 taxa) during the Late Permian time (Lopingian epoch). Altogether 46 species of genus Glossopteris were reported from two fossiliferous layers of the same ferruginous red shale bed. The majority of broad mesh form Glossopteris species along with few narrow and medium mesh forms, petiolate leaves and Glossopteris with thick midrib were reported from the upper floral zone, while the lower floral zone was dominated by narrow and medium mesh form species and leaves with thin midrib. A marked floral change has been noticed in these two fossiliferous horizons of this section, demonstrating the existence of two different floral zones in the rocks of Lower Kamthi Formation. The upper floral zone is assigned to the Changhsingian age, while the lower floral zone is of Wuchiapingian age. The existence of Late Permian floras, the absence of typical Triassic flora (Dicroidium flora) in the present fossil assemblage and the lithology of the area (covered by fossiliferous ferruginous red shale, ferruginous red sandstone, yellowish shale and pebbly conglomerate) demonstrate that the exposure belongs to the Lower Kamthi Formation. The presence of well-diversified fossil assemblage represents a thick swampy dense and deciduous forest of Glossopteris. The different morphological characteristics of plant fossils depict a warm, humid and temperate climate with intermittent rainfall and adequate light intensity at the time of deposition.

Witnessing floral evolution: a case study from Barakar formation in Lajkura colliery, Ib-river coalfield, Mahanadi Basin, India

ABSTRACT Signatures for evolutionary trends have been observed in various glossopterid elements ora recovered from a single stratigraphic succession of Barakar Formation (Artinskian-Kungurian) of Lajkura Colliery, Ib River Coalfield. Significant variations in morphographic characters pertaining mainly to the non-existence/existence of midrib and venation pattern occurring in various species from older to younger horizons reveal two distinct assemblage zones. Assemblage zone–I (oldest, Ist horizon) consists of leaf genera- Noeggerathiopsis, Cordaites, Euryphyllum, Kawizophyllum, Buriadia, Gangamopteris, and Glossopteris whereas Assemblage zone-II (2nd, 3rd and 4th horizons) consists of leaf genera Palaeovittaria, Raniganjia, Bengalia, Ginkgoites and Glossopteris. Barring few overlapping Glossopteris species all four horizons have their distinct sets of Glossopteris species. A gradual shift of Glossopteris species with narrow-mesh forms having evanescent and thin midribs in the Ist horizon to broad and middle-mesh forms with thick midribs in the youngest 4th horizon, through middle-mesh forms with moderately thick midribs in 2nd and 3rd horizons has been noticed. The occurrence of distinct sets of taxa in successive coal seams demonstrates a characteristic pattern of floral distribution suggesting evolution in glossopterids, and prevalence of some specific climatic conditions during the deposition of these coal seams influencing origin and development of such distinct set of species.

Biodiversity of a Permian temperate forest: A case study from Ustali area, Ib River Basin, Odisha, India

A palaeofloristic study and geochemical analysis of a Permian section in Ib River Basin near Ustali village, Odisha State has been undertaken. The complete macrofloral assemblage comprising 44 taxa belong to the orders Equisetales, Sphenophyllales, Filicales, and Glossopteridales. A marked floral change has been noticed in two fossiliferous horizons of this section, demonstrating the existence of two different floral zones in Raniganj Formation rocks of this section. The upper floral zone is assigned to the Wuchiapingian, while the lower floral zone is of Wordian‐Capitanian age. The occurrence of Gangamopteris is the first report of this genus from the Raniganj Formation of the Ib River Basin, as well as from the Son‐Mahanadi Master Basin. The existence of tiny seeds infers the prevalence of arid and warm climatic conditions at least during the blossoming and seed development phase, resulting in a sluggish inflow of nutrients to the growing seeds, thereby restricting their proper growth. The palynoassemblage confirms its resemblance with the Raniganj palynoflora of Wordian‐Capitanian affinity. Biomarker analysis indicates a good contribution of algal and microbial organic matter during the deposition, however, the overall biomarker composition and distribution suggests an increased thermal maturity of the studied samples.

Simulation of monthly streamflow using the SWAT model of the Ib River watershed, India

The objective of the study is simulating the streamflow and predicting water balance components using Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model for Ib River watershed in Mahanadi River basin. Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) daily rainfall and monthly streamflow data were used to develop the model from 1993 to 2011. The calibration showed better response than validation in which the determination of coefficient, Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency and percent of bias were 0.77; 0.75 and −19.1, respectively. The temporal and spatial variability of water balance components over study area were determined. This study shows that almost 26–50% of the rainfall was lost by evapotranspiration. The spatial variability of surface runoff was higher on the southern region, groundwater was lower due to the dominance of tile drainage, and lateral flow was higher on southern region. This study will enhance the understanding of hydrological components behaviour on the sparse rain network.

An Exclusive Schizoneura Forest: An Emblematic Late Permian Marsh Ecosystem

ABSTRACT Altogether eighty one (81) impressions of slender leafy axes of Schizoneura gondwanensis were reported in ferruginous shales from Lower Kamthi sediments exposed in a very remote locality near Korbahal Village, Sundargarh District, Ib River Lower Gondwana basin, Odisha, India. Different aspects of Schizoneura, one of the imperative equisetalean genera of the Indian Lower Gondwana flora, have been discussed in this article. The speciation and morphology of this genus are also described. Further, a review of previous work on this genus is summarized for a clear understanding of its form, habit, diversity, origin, evolution and extinction. An attempt has also been made to reconstruct the plant of Schizoneura. Palaeoclimate during Late Permian is also summarized. The climate was comparatively warm and highly humid and thus quite suitable for luxuriant plant growth. However, the red bed facies of the ferruginous sandstones indicate seasonal variability of dry spells and semi-arid conditions. An attempt has also been made to reconstruct palaeovegetation of the investigated locality. A forest of hydrophytic plants, dominated by Schizoneura gondwanensis developed luxuriantly under warm and highly humid conditions in a marsh ecosystem in general and possibly around a large pond in particular.

Petrographic studies to delineate suitable coal seams for coal liquefaction and their palaeo-environmental analysis: A case study from the Ib river and Mand-Raigarh coalfields of the Mahanadi valley coalfields, India

A systematic approach has been carried out to delineate the coal seam zones from the Ib river coalfield, Odisha and the Mand-Raigarh coalfield, Chhattisgarh for the conversion of coal to oil as well as to establish the peat-forming environment of the mire and determine the depositional facies analysis of the coal seams. Zone R-I of Raniganj formation and Belpahar, Parkhani and Lajkura of Barakar formation from the Ib river coalfield and Seam nos. VII, VI, III and I of the Barakar formation from the Mand-Raigarh coalfield are identified based on their high percentage of liptinite and reactive content as well as their suitable maturity (mostly sub-bituminous rank) as potential for coal-to-oil conversion. The palaeo-depositional environment for peat formation has been constructed using the tissue preservation index and gelification index following coal facies analysis which shows that the peat formation in the Ib river coalfield took place under limnic to limno-telmatic conditions with prolonged wetness in the mire, whereas in the Mand-Raigarh coalfield, peat evolved under a clastic to an open marsh limnic environment with intermittent wet and dry spells. The microlithotype composition indicates that both the coalfields evolved under lower to upper deltaic settings.

Diversity and distribution of fish fauna in the Ib River, a tributary of Mahanadi, India

Ichthyofaunal survey was conducted in the Ib River (21°44’ to 22°50’ N; 83°56’ to 83°54’ E), an important tributary of Mahanadi, to evaluate the diversity and distribution of freshwater fishes along six sites on seasonal basis between February, 2016 and January, 2017. A total of 55 species belonging to 42 genera, 21 families and 9 orders were recorded from the study area. Maximum number of species belonged to the Order Cypriniformes (41.8%) followed by Siluriformes (21.8%) and Perciformes (21.8%). Maximum value of species richness was observed in downstream areas; Sundargarh and Barghat and least in upper stretches of Pamsala. Shannon–Weiner diversity index ranged between 2.47 to 3.68 at the six sites of Ib River indicating healthy state of the river. Bray-Curtis similarity cluster analysis suggests that similarities between sites decrease with increasing distance, with highest similarity found between Sundargarh and Barghat sites. Baseline data on fish biodiversity has been generated in this study which can now be periodically monitored and form basis for future conservation plans.

Composition, mineral matter characteristics and ash fusion behavior of some Indian coals

The present study aims to evaluate the chemical and mineralogical compositions of coal samples collected from three different seams of a particular borehole of Samaleswari Block, Ib river coalfield, Odisha, India. Different experimental and theoretical studies were conducted to predict and correlate the chemical and mineral composition of coal ash to ash fusion temperatures. The experimental techniques used include proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, gross calorific value determination and chemical analysis of coal ash for quantification of major oxides such as SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, CaO, MgO, Na2O, K2O, SO3 and TiO2. In addition, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron probe micro analysis (EPMA) techniques were used to identify the mineral phases present in coal and ash samples. Finally, FactSage Thermodynamics Model (FactSage 6.3) was used to understand the ash fusion behavior and to predict the phase transformations that occur during the process of coal combustion.

The Petrology of Coals from the Rampur Seam-IV and the Lajkura Seam, Ib River Coalfield, Mahanadi Valley, Orissa, India

This article entails results of the study designed to characterize the coals of Ib River coalfield of Mahanadi Valley, Orissa. The study reveals that durain is the dominant lithotype of these coals, which has imparted a dull appearance. This is reflected in its microscopic constituents by the dominance of the macerals of inertinite group and high mineral matter content. This is followed by vitrinite, while liptinites occur in small quantity. Further, it is evolved that these coals are sub-bituminous in rank and have originated from forest and open moors under oxic conditions with intermittent flooding.

Record of Lower Gondwana megafloral assemblage from Lower Kamthi Formation of Ib River Coalfield, Orissa, India

Recent investigations carried out in the Ib River Coalfield, Mahanadi Master Basin, Orissa, identified some fossilif-erous beds in the Lower Gondwana deposits. Two exposures of the Lower Kamthi Formation yielded diverse and abundant plant remains, which include Neomariopteris, Vertebraria, and a scale leaf along with 14 Glossopteris species otherwise mapped as Barren Measures and Upper Kamthi formations. Glossopteris indica dominates the flora (22.78%) followed by G. communis (17.72%) and G. browniana (13.92%). Based on megafloral assemblages, different beds exposed at Gopalpur and Laxamanpur Pahar are assigned here to the Lower Kamthi Formation (Late Permian). The floristic composition suggests that a warm and humid climate prevailed during the Late Permian. The status of the Kamthi Formation in the Ib River Coalfield has been redefined in the present study.

Pteridophytes from Lower Gondwana formations of the Ib River Coalfield, Orissa and their diversity and distribution in the Permian of India

Recent extensive investigations carried out in the Ib River Coalfield, Mahanadi Master Basin, Orissa, identified numerous fossiliferous beds in the lower Gondwana deposits. Six exposures of the Barakar and lower Kamthi formations yielded diverse and abundant plant remains. The flora includes twenty-three genera representing nine groups viz., Lycopodiales, Equisetales, Sphenophyllales, Filicales, Cordaitales, Coniferales, Ginkgoales, Cycadales and Glossopteridales. Systematic descriptions of the pteridophyte taxa namely Cyclodendron (Lycopodiales), Schizoneura, Raniganjia, Bengalia, equisetaceous stems (Equisetales), Trizygia, Benlightfootia (Sphenophyllales), Neomariopteris, and Dichotomopteris (Filicales) are presented in this paper. Pteridophytic leaves comprising nine taxa viz., Cyclodendron leslii, Schizoneura gondwanensis, Raniganjia bengalensis, Bengalia raniganjensis, Trizygia speciosa, Benlightfootia indica, Neomariopteris hughesii, N. talchirensis, and Dichotomopteris sp. together with equisetaceous stems constitute about 7.88% (72 specimens) of the total plant assemblage collected from this coalfield. Among the pteridophytes, equisetaceous stems are most abundant (40.3%; 29 specimens) followed by Schizoneura gondwanensis (20.8%, 15 specimens) and Trizygia speciosa (13.9%, 10 specimens). A summary of the known diversity of pteridophytes in the Indian Permian as a whole is provided. Barakar Formation exposures have been assigned to a lower and upper series based on possession of different floristic assemblages. Pteridophytes do not occur in the lower series. On this basis the beds of Lajkura, Jurabaga collieries, Ratanpur Fireclay Quarry and the locality near Belpahar Railway Station with pteridophyte fossils are assigned to the upper Barakar Formation (late Artinskian). Based on assemblages containing different pteridophytes, beds exposed at Sitaram and Dungri Pahar are assigned to the lower Kamthi Formation (Lopingian). The floristic composition suggests a palaeoclimatic shift from temperate warm moist to warm dry conditions during the late Artinskian and warm and humid during Lopingian. The Permian pteridophytes grew in semi-aquatic conditions, i.e. in marshy places around small ponds, lakes and river-banks.

The geology of the Rengali Province: implications for the tectonic development of northern Orissa, India

The Rengali Province in northern Orissa, India is a distinct lithological, structural and metamorphic belt bound by major shear zones between the Singhbhum Province and the northern Eastern Ghats Belt and the NE part of the Bhandara Province. The Rengali Province comprises an amphibolite facies sequence of intercalated basement gneiss and meta-volcanosedimentary lithologies. Deformation is characterised by a variation in strain from relatively low for much of the central and NE part of the belt to a strongly deformed zone south of the intra-province Riamal Shear Zone. Geochronological constraints suggest dextral displacement along the bounding Kerajang and Barakot Shear Zones occurred prior to ca. 980 Ma and D 2 within the Eastern Ghats Belt, and post the Meso-Neoproterozoic metamorphism within the Sausar and Gangpur Groups, which may have once represented a single contiguous belt. Deformation associated with the dextral displacement of the Singhbhum Province relative to the Bhandara Province resolved the Rengali Province as a distinct and comparatively high-strain belt which accommodated large-scale dextral shearing at amphibolite facies conditions. Progressive shearing and later reactivation associated with late retrogression was confined to the southern margin of the Rengali Province along the Kerajang Fault Zone. The latest brittle reactivation along the Kerajang Fault Zone deforms the Ib River and Talchir Permo-Triassic coal sequences.

The role of coal petrographic characteristics in evaluating the non-coking nature of the coals of ramagundam and Kothagudem coalfields, Godavari Valley Basin, Andhra Pradesh, India

The maceral and microlithotype compositions of coals representative of the different coal seams of the Ramagundam and Kothagudem coalfields, Godavari Valley Basin, are compared with those of the Ib River, Talcher, South Karanpura, Hura, and Brahmani coalfields. The vitrite + clarite—“Intermidiates”—durite + fusite + shale (<20%) triangular diagram places these coals in the area of non-coking coals, clearly distinct from the coking and semi-coking coals. The vitrinite reflectance is low ( R ormoil aver: 0.38–0.71%), far below the coking-coal range. Thus, based on petrographic composition and rank, these coals are of non-coking nature. A triangular diagram is proposed delineating the coking, semi-coking and non-coking coal areas for the Gondwana coals of India.

Palynological correlation of coal seams, their nature and formation in rampur coalfield, Lower Gondwana (India)

Palynological contents and petrographic constituents of some coals from four collieries in the Rampur (Ib River) Coalfield, Orissa, have been analysed. On the basis of statistical analysis of the miospore genera it has been suggested that the coals from pits 5 and 11, and from Orient Incline (Hingir-Rampur seam) fall into one group, while that from Ib incline (Ib seam) stands apart, not being a correlative of the first three. Assemblage Ib-1, characteristics of the first three coals, is identifiable on the basis of dominant presence of Sulcatisporites, along with the prominence of Latosporites and Ibisporites, and the sporadic presence of monosaccate genera; assemblage Ib-2, contained by only one colliery, is unique in having Parasaccites, Apiculatisporis, Indotriradites, and Horriditriletes as the important genera. Even the nature and distribution of coal components suggest that the coals from pits 5 and 11 and from Orient Incline (Hingir-Rampur seam) are of one type, while that of Ib Incline (Ib seam) is different. The former are typical of the inertinite r rich shaly durain type, while the latter is of the duroclarain, or clarodurain (trimaceral group) type. A brief comparison between these observations and those known of other coals from the Indian Lower Gondwana has been made.

Palynological Investigations of some Coal Seams in the IB-River Coalfield (Orissa), India

A palynological analysis of some coals from Ib river (Rampur-Hingir) Coalfield, Orissa, has been done. The samples investigated were collected from four different collieries (pits), representing the locally called Hingir-Rampur seam (Pit Nos. 5 and 11, Orient incline) and fb-seam incline near Brijraj Nagar. These coals have been found to be quite rich in the microspore and pollen grain contents. The Sporae dispersae has been assigned to 34 genera and 51 species out of which 2 genera and 15 species have been described as new. A qualitative analysis based on distribution of species has shown that there are two distinct assemblages represented in the seams under study.