Study of petrographic composition and depositional environment of the coals from Queen seam of Yellendu area,Godavari valley coalfield,Andhra Pradesh

The study of coal succession from bore hole No. Q-448 of Yellendu area of the Godavari valley coalfield, Andhra Pradesh reveals that the coals of Queen seam are high volatile bituminous C in rank and have vitrinite reflectance (R_o max %) varying between of 0.52 and 0.62%. The petrographic constitution however, suggests that the depositional site appears to be a slowly sinking and tectonically controlled basin, having received continuous supply of vegetal matter rich resource at regular intervals. The formation of inertinite rich coal suggests, oxidising enviornment of deposition. The dominence of vitrinite and liptinite constituents in these coals postulates the existence of alternating cold and humid spells. The present study indicates that these coals originated under an alternate oxic and anoxic moor condition.     

Early Triassic palynomorphs from Manuguru area of Godavari graben,Andhra Pradesh

High fluoride content in the groundwater is reported from parts of the Gad River Basin, Sindhudurg district, coastal Maharashtra, India. The fluoride content of up to 5 mg/l has been found in the groundwater in laterite, basalt and the Precambrian basement (gneiss) aquifers in the region. The presence of high fluoride in groundwater well above the permissible levels for consumption poses a serious health threat to the rural populace in the region. The presence of tourmaline bearing pegmatites in the Precambrian basement is considered as a potential fluorine source. Deep circulation of fluoride rich groundwater between the latetritised basalts and the underlying crystalline basement could be responsible for the occurrence of fluoride in both the shallow and deeper aquifers of the region.     

Sub-surface coal seams of Bhupalpalli and Golapalli areas of Godavari valley coalfield and their petrographic characteristics

The research work details the maceral organization of eleven coal seams intersected at a maximum depth of 446.45 m from Bhupalpalli area of the Mulug coal belt, in Warangal district of Godavari valley. Samples for petrographic study have been collected from ten coal seams intersected between 106 m and 299 m depth range from Bore-hole No. 618 which includes, IA and its underlying I, II, Index below II, IIIB, IIIA, III, IVA, IV and Index below IV respectively. However, the coal samples from the bottom most V seam were collected from Bore-hole No. 616 encountered between 445.65 m and 446.45 m. The study has revealed that V seam is marked by vitric type and seam IVA contains coal of fusic nature. The seams I, II, Index below II, IIIB, IIIA and IV, however, are represented by mixed type of coal. Whereas, the seams IA and III have the prevalence of vitric as well as mixed coal types. IA seam has witnessed alternate oxic and anoxic moor condition and also wet moor with intermittent moderate to high flooding. All the other seams have been deposited during alternate oxic and anoxic moor conditions. The coal seams of the study area have shown a wide range of variation in vitrinite reflectance (Ro mean %). The top of III, basal part of IV and the entire Index below IV have recorded high vitrinite reflectance (Ro mean %), which ranges between 0.66-0.67% thus they have reached high volatile bituminous B stage, all the other seams show lower reflectance and therefore have attained high volatile bituminous C rank.     

Revisit to graphite-tungsten deposits of East Godavari district,Andhra Pradesh

The graphite-tungsten deposits under consideration in this study are located in the Burugubanda, Pydiputta, Tapasikonda, Marripalem and Madyaratigudem areas of the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, India. These deposits were formed due to wide spread tectonothermal events associated with the evolution of Eastern Ghats Mobile Belt (EGMB). The graphite deposits of East Godavari district are epigenetic, rhombohedral fluid deposited type and are one of the four deposits of such type reported so far from Srilanka, Spain and England. The graphite deposits were formed due to granodioritic intrusion into the Narsipatnam shear zone, which caused migmatisation of khondalites along with mobilisation and concentration of graphite, as veins and lenses, into the graphite gneisses. The graphite gneisses were subsequently intruded by quartz rich pegmatites that were laden with tungsten mineralisation. The tungsten mineralisation occurs as thin bands, lenses, stringers and vein lets within the quartz matrix and also dispersed in the graphite gneisses. Inclusions of tungsten in graphite indicate that tungsten mineralisation succeeded graphite mineralisation. However, the low P-T phenomenon of tungsten (wolframite-ferberite) mineralisation resulted in low tenor of tungsten ore deposits (WO₃: 0.10%). Rare earth elements (REE) are associated with tungsten mineralisation in these areas. During the present study, these graphite-tungsten deposits have been re-examined, in the backdrop of shelving graphite-tungsten projects in these areas. The feed for mineral beneficiation tests was decided on the basis of dispersion of tungsten in quartz and graphite rich fractions of the ore zone. The feed (ROM material) on beneficiation gave recovery of +75% graphite concentrate, tungsten concentrate of consistent chemical grade, besides recovery of sizeable REE concentrate. It also rendered use of unutilised graphite tailing dumps at beneficiation plants, thereby effecting conservation. Thus, the association of tungsten and REE with the entire graphite deposits along with their value addition during beneficiation, as by-product, revived opportunities to restart graphite mining in the Burugubanda, Pydiputta and Tapasikonda areas in particular and East Godavari district, in general, as an economically viable venture. This will initiate opening of graphite mines in other districts of Andhra Pradesh and energise economics of working graphite mines within EGMB, in the states of Jharkhand, Odisha and Tamil Nadu.     

Petrographic,chemical and trace-elemental composition of the coal of Sohagpur coalfield,Madhya Pradesh,India

The Sohagpur coalfield is a remnant of the Son valley basin of Gondwana deposition and can be subdivided into three major subbasins from west to east: Rungta-Amlai, Kotma and Bijuri. Thick coal seams occur in the Barakar Formation (Lower Permian) and are being worked extensively.Petrographic, reflectance, chemical and trace-elemental studies on samples of coal representative of the coal seams of the different subbasins have been carried out, and the results are presented here. Petrographically, the coals of one subbasin are different from those of another subbasin and are mainly composed of vitrinertite I, and vitrinertite V, that alternates with fusite. Vitrite increases in proportion in the coal seams towards the eastern part of the coalfield, and sclerotinite occurs in increased proportion in coal seams towards the western part. The reflectance in oil (Ro_max) varies from 0.50 to 0.58% in the coals of Rungta-Amlai, 0.46–0.56% in Kotma, and 0.53–1.05% in Bijuri subbasins. Chemically, the coals belong to type High Volatile Symbol B 4 of Class Bituminous. The significant trace elements are V (20–400 ppm); Cu, Ni, Co (up to 300 ppm); Mn, Ba, Sr, Zr (up to 800 ppm); and La (up to 1200 ppm). The trace elements show a tendency to increase in proportion towards the eastern part of the coalfield.To the immediate east of the coalfield lies the Chirimiri coalfield, of which the compositional characteristics are also presented. These data clearly suggest that the coals of the Son valley are different from those of the other Gondwana basins, i.e., Mahanadi, Godavari, and Damodar valley basins.     

Study of petrological characteristics of coal deposits from Marki-Jhari-Jamni area, Wardha valley coalfield, Maharashtra

A detailed study of maceral composition and vitrinite reflectance of the coal deposits from Marki-Jhari-Jamni area, situated in the northwestern extremity of Wardha valley coalfield, Yeotmal district, Maharashtra has been carried out with special reference to their depositional set up. These coals have two distinct types of maceral organization, one having significantly high distribution of the vitrinite group of macerals (35–41%) and the other containing the dominance of inertinite (26–49%). Liptinite maceral group is recorded between 14 and 24%, barring a few coal bands having liptinite maceral group as high as 33–37%. The vitrinite reflectivity ranges from 0.38–0.43%. Thus, they have attained sub-bituminous C rank. Mineral matter in these coals varies between 15 and 22%. The present study suggests that the basin primarily experienced cold climate having intermittent brackish water influx with alternating dry oxidizing spells.     

Study of petrological characteristics of coal deposits from Marki-Jhari-Jamni area,Wardha valley coalfield,Maharashtra

A detailed study of maceral composition and vitrinite reflectance of the coal deposits from Marki-Jhari-Jamni area, situated in the northwestern extremity of Wardha valley coalfield, Yeotmal district, Maharashtra has been carried out with special reference to their depositional set up. These coals have two distinct types of maceral organization, one having significantly high distribution of the vitrinite group of macerals (35–41%) and the other containing the dominance of inertinite (26–49%). Liptinite maceral group is recorded between 14 and 24%, barring a few coal bands having liptinite maceral group as high as 33–37%. The vitrinite reflectivity ranges from 0.38–0.43%. Thus, they have attained sub-bituminous C rank. Mineral matter in these coals varies between 15 and 22%. The present study suggests that the basin primarily experienced cold climate having intermittent brackish water influx with alternating dry oxidizing spells.     

Petrographic and geochemical characterization of coal from Talcher coalfield,Mahanadi Basin,India

In the present study an attempt has been made to characterize the coals of Talcher coalfield employing petrographic and geochemical techniques on a large number of coal samples. Pillar coal samples were collected from all the six workable coal seams, which occur in the Karharbari (Seam-I) and the Barakar (Seams II, III, IV, V and IX) formations.     

宁东煤田侏罗纪煤岩煤质特征及清洁高效利用

宁东煤田侏罗纪煤炭资源量巨大,是当前宁夏回族自治区煤炭资源开发利用的主体。为保障煤炭资源的清洁高效利用,以煤田大量勘查资料为主要依据,分析了宁东煤田侏罗纪煤的煤岩、煤质特征。结果显示：宁东煤田侏罗纪煤具有特低-低灰、特低-低硫、低磷、低砷、低氟、高发热量的特征,这些特征表明其为高清洁度动力用煤;同时还具有中高挥发分、较高氢碳原子比、焦油产率较低（普遍<7%）及富惰质组等特征表明不适于直接液化用或提取煤焦油。无黏结性、较低水分产率、较高的与二氧化碳反应性（950℃）、煤灰熔融温度,表明其适于气化,且以水煤浆气流床和干煤粉气流床为宜。综合认为研究区煤炭资源的清洁高效利用方式为动力用煤,气化用煤及以气化为基础的间接液化用煤。     

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.     

Flow-types and lava emplacement history of Rajahmundry Traps,west of River Godavari,Andhra Pradesh

Rajahmundry Traps has been under geo-scientific investigations for over half a century; yet sketchy information is available on morphology and internal architecture of lavas. This study bridges this gap by describing the morphology of lava pile of Duddukuru area following Hawaiian scheme that relates a lava-type with a particular emplacement style.     

Distribution of iron in the surface and groundwaters of East Godavari district,Andhra Pradesh,India

With the progradation of Godavari delta in the east coast of India, increase in iron (Fe) concentrations in the groundwater was observed. High concentrations of Fe (>10 mg/l) were observed in khondalite and charnockite formations. A lower portion of the Godavari river basin, viz. East Godavari district was chosen for the study of the distribution of iron with special reference to the existing geological formations and the geomorphology of the area. The concentration of iron was observed to vary from below detection limit to 69 mg/l in the groundwater while it was less than 1 mg Fe/l in river and spring waters. The Fe of river water was reduced due to seawater mixing and the electrical conductivity (EC) was increased approximately to half of the seawater conductivity. Unlike the mixing of seawater at the surface, the same seawater mixing with groundwater yielded a water having similar order of EC with relatively high Fe. Fe was inversely related with nitrate in the groundwater. Fe was found to correlate considerably better with manganese in fluvial and coastal alluvium zones. The locations having higher Fe in delta are suspected to be related to palaeo channels. The association between Fe and Mn and their negative association with NO₃ may be due to the possible autotrophic denitrification that might have taken place in the subsurface.     

Magnetometric surveys over some iron-ore occurrences in the Eastern Ghats belt of Godavari Districts,Andhra Pradesh

Iron-ore with magnetite as the chief ore mineral occurs in the Precambrians of Eastern Ghats. Vertical magnetometric surveys were carried out to delineate some of the ore bands, in the Ghats belt of Godavari Districts, Andhra Pradesh, around Addatigala, Devipatnam and Tekuru. Interpretation of the magnetic anomalies was based on the tabular models. Ore bands are at shallow depths of around 5m. The deduced inclinations of magnetisation suggest that the magnetisation is largely remanent. The intensities of magnetisation are in the range of 5 to 10·5×10^?3 emu and agree well with the laboratory measurements on the ore samples. At Devipatnam and Tekuru the magnetic background seems to be high. At Tekuru the ore band appears to be very limited in depth extent. The limited depth extent coupled with high magnetic background explains the anomaly which is not so prominent. It is concluded that in such areas, it is only the high grade magnetite ore bands of considerable depth extent that can be successfully delineated by the magnetic method.     

Water quality assessment of Gautami — Godavari mangrove estuarine ecosystem of Andhra Pradesh, India during September 2001

Some chemical and biological parameters were analysed at sixteen stations in the mangrove ecosystem, of the neighbouring Gautami-Godavari (GG) river estuary and Kakinada (KKD) bay to understand the present status of water quality and the impact of external terrigenous inputs during southwest (SW) monsoon in the study areas. High concentrations of nutrients in the mangrove ecosystem compared to the bay and estuarine ecosystems reveal the importance of this zone as a source of nutrients to the adjacent coastal ecosystems. Low Si:N:P (29:4:1) ratios in these ecosystems are due to the enrichment of these nutrients through external anthropogenic inputs even after the utilization by phytoplankton in the biological cycle. The mean Chl b/Chla and Chl c/Chla ratios and high phaeopigments (Pp) concentrations compared to Chlb and high ratios of Chl a/Pp suggests the possibility of the potential growth of phytoplankton populations in lower light intensity and low turbulent areas of these mangrove ecosystems.     

Bastnaesite from Kanigiri granite, Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh

For the first time we report bastnaesite and hydroxyl bastnaesite (lanthanum cerium fluoro-carbonate) from the Kanigiri granite. The host granitoids are of A-type and vary in composition from quartz syenites to peralkaline granites. Rare metal and rare earth-bearing minerals identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies in Kanigiri granite are bastnaesite and hydroxyl bastnaesite, besides columbite-tantalite, monazite, fergusonite, thorite and euxenite. Petromineralogical studies have also revealed the presence of bastnaesite. The presence of bastnaesite in Kanigiri granite suggests that the host felsic rocks may also form a potential source for light rare earth mineral, bastnaesite, apart from the already known rare-metal minerals.     

Sphene coronites from Hyderabad granites,Andhra Pradesh,India

Sphene coronites around magnetite are recorded in the granodiorite of Hyderabad. The metamorphic origin of the corona is discussed.     

Petrology of calc-silicate rocks from Koduru,Andhra Pradesh,India

Mineral assemblages, rock and mineral chemistry, and mineral reactions, in calc-silicate rocks from Koduru area, Andhra Pradesh, India are discussed. Mineralogical and bulk chemical differences indicate 3 calc-silicate rock types — type I with K feldspar+calcite+wollastonite+quartz+scapolite+diopside_ss +andradite_ss+sphene, has relatively high rock oxidation ratios. Type II is a highly calcic variety with high rock MgFe ratios, and has K feldspar+calcite+wollastonite+quartz+scapolite + diopside_ss±grossularite_ss+sphene+zoisite. Type III has K feldspar +calcite+wollastonite+quartz+scapolite+diopside_ss +sphene+hornblende+magnetite, and has relatively low oxidation ratio and low MgFe ratio. The 3 calc-silicate rock types have originated as mixtures of limestone/dolomite/marl.Diopside was produced by a reaction involving Ca-amphibole +calcite+quartz, and reversed during retrogression. Andradite_ss in type I rocks was produced at the expense of hedenbergitic component of pyroxene in a continuous reaction as a consequence of increase in the oxygen content of the original sediment relative to type III. Calcite+quartz reacted to give wollastonite. During cooling an influx of water caused scapolite to alter to zoisite.     

Neotectonic response of the Godavari and Kaddam rivers in Andhra Pradesh, India: Implications to quaternary reactivation of old fracture system

A field and imagery based study at the eastern margin of the Deccan Volcanic Province (DVP), and in the Precambrian terrain of Adilabad and Karimnagar districts of Andhra Pradesh, India display a striking response of the Godavari and Kaddam rivers to Kaddam lineament-fault fracture (KLF) system. Brittle to ductile deformations within the Precambrian formations indicate its antiquity, while the continuity of Kaddam lineament over DVP suggests its Tertiary reactivation. The morpho-tectonic response of the Godavari and Kaddam rivers in this area depict southward tilt of the fault block west of Kaddam fault during Quaternary. In the given set-up we postulate a greater role of crustal loading of the Deccan traps, and its rapid erosional unloading during Late Cenozoic intensified monsoon conditions as one of the causative factors for the above neotectonic response demanding further detailed work on the KLF and elsewhere in the peripheral regions of DVP encountered by active faults and old fractures.