Palynology of the uppermost Cretaceous to lowermost Paleocene Deccan volcanic associated sediments of the Mandla Lobe, Central India

Palynological study of the uppermost Cretaceous–lowermost Paleocene sequences of the Deccan volcanic province in the Mandla Lobe of central India was carried out to understand floral diversity, paleoecology and paleoclimate during Deccan volcanic activity (67. 4–62.5 Ma). The study involved 17 intertrappean sedimentary beds at 13 stratigraphic levels. The analysis shows the presence of a rich and diverse palynoflora represented by 47 genera and 61 species of pteridophytes, gymnosperms, algae, and fungi. Amongst these, we recognized three new genera and 10 new species. At the lower stratigraphic levels, (582–602 meters above sea level), Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) age marker palynomorphs, namely Azolla cretacea, Farabeipollis minutus, Jiangsupollis striatus and J. intertrappea sp. nov. and dominance of Gabonisporis vigourouxii and Aquilapollenites bengalensis were recorded. At the higher stratigraphic levels, (698–858 meters above sea level) Early Paleocene (Danian) age marker palynoassemblages, such as Haloragacidites amolosus, Longapertites vaneendenburgi, Mulleripollis bolpurensis, Palmaepollenites nadhamunii, and P. eocenicus were recorded. Palynoassemblage and associated clay minerals indicate deposition of intertrappean beds in a fluctuating climate, ranging from humid and semiarid to arid and the prevalence of estuarine to freshwater depositional environments at the time of deposition. Palynofloral assemblages suggests prevalence of warm humid tropical climate with high precipitation during the deposition of intertrappean beds.