the ediacaran period: it's lower and upper boundaries in india
TRANSCRIPT
The Palaeobotanist 57(2008) : 33-520031-0174/2008 $2.00
© Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, India
The Ediacaran Period: It's lower and upperboundaries in India
GOPENDRA KUMAR1 AND P.K. MAITHY2
1Formerly Geological Survey of India; 48 Pandariba, Old Kanpur Road, Charbagh,Lucknow 226 004, India.
E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected], Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany; F 2212, Rajaji Puram, Lucknow 226017, India.
(Received 01 December, 2006; revised version accepted 27 August, 2007)
ABSTRACT
Kumar G & Maithy PK 2008. The Ediacaran Period: It's lower and upper boundaries in India. The Palaeobotanist57(1-2) : 33-52.
The newly established Ediacaran Period (terminal Proterozoic) 'begins with termination of the last great globalglaciation (Marinoan) of the Neoproterozoic Era' and ends with appearance of biologically distinct world characterised byan assemblage of diverse skeletal fossils of bilaterian animals of the Cambrian Period. Significant depletion in C-isotopevalues is also recorded at both the boundaries. In India, Ediacaran sequences form part of a continuous sequence that restsunconformably over the oldest platform sequences (Meso-Cryogenian) in many parts of the Lesser and Tethys/HigherHimalaya, and grade into Cambrian. Of the various sections studied, the Maldeota section of the Baliana-Krol-Talsuccession, Krol Belt, Lesser Himalaya is found to be the best for the study of both the boundaries. The Lower boundaryof the Period is marked at the base of red-green shale and pinkish lenticular dolomite (Member G) - the cap carbonate,forming topmost bed of the Blaini Formation, Baliana Group. There is marked change in assemblage of acritarch andcyanobacteria within upper part of the Baliana Group with appearance and extinction of Ediacaran fauna in the overlyingKrol. This change is also accompanied with a significant depletion in C-isotope values in the 'cap carbonate'. The upperboundary could not be precisely demarcated in the absence of boundary diagnostic trace fossils. However, a significantdepletion in C-isotope values is recorded in the upper part of the Krol Group with appearance of spiny and processedacritarch (acanthomorphs), scaphomorphs and hercomorphs, small shelly fossils, trace fossils and trilobites of EarlyCambrian age in the overlying Tal Group, which is considered to mark the boundary.
A review of biota recorded from older sequences viz. Vindhyan Supergroup, Bhima, Kurnool, Chhattisgarh, andIndravati Groups, etc. of the peninsular India, suggest them to be of Mesoproterozoic-Cryogenian (pre-Sturtian glaciation)age. The paper discusses in detail both lower and upper boundaries of the Ediacaran Period and attempts at the correlationwith GSSP.
Key-words—Ediacaran, Lower-Upper Boundaries, India.
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Challenges in Indian Palaeobiology: Current Status,Recent Development and Future DirectionsEditors: N.C. Mehrotra & Mukund SharmaPublisher: Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow
34 THE PALAEOBOTANIST
INTRODUCTION
THE Ediacaran Period, a new addition to geologic time scalefor terminal Proterozoic, is characterised by the Ediacaran
fossil assemblage that gave the period its name. In contrast toother GSSPs in Palaeozoic, which are primarily based onbiostratigraphy, the demarcation of this boundary is onlithostratigraphy and chemostratigraphy. “The beginning andend of the Period are marked by remarkable negative excursionsin the carbon isotope records, unusual biochemical eventsrecognised globally in both carbonate rocks and sedimentaryorganic matter”. The Period begins with termination of the lastgreat global glaciation (Marinoan) of the Neoproterozoic Era,when the continental glaciers reached the sea level in tropicallatitudes and ends with beginning of biologically distinctworld characterised by diverse skeletal fossils of bilateriananimals (Knoll et al., 2006).
The base of the period is defined by ‘cap carbonate’ thatconformably overlies the Marinoan glacial and the initial GSSPis marked at the base of the Marinoan cap carbonate – theNuccaleena Formation in the Enorama Creek section of thecentral Flinders Ranges, Adelaide Rift Complex, SouthAustralia. No precise carbon isotopic data to constrain theage is available but recent 635 Ma U-Pb zircon age for an ashbed within glacial strata in Oman and Pb-Pb age of 599+4 Mapost-glacial phosphorites in southern China suggest an agefor the GSSP younger than 635 Ma, but older than 600 Ma(Knoll et al., 2006). This GSSP was selected out of threeproposed candidates, the other two were: (i) TianjiayuanziSection, eastern Yangtze Gorges region, China (Xing et al.2003) and Maldeota Section, Mussoorie Syncline, Krol Belt,Lesser Himalaya, India (Kumar et al., 2000).
The initial GSSP for end of Ediacaran Period and beginningof Cambrian is located in the Chapel Island Formation, FortuneHead, south east Newfoundland, Canada, and the boundaryplaced between the trace fossil Zone-I (Harlaniella podolikaZone) and Zone-II (Triptichnus (Phycodes) pedum Zone), 2.4m above the base of the formation (ca 545 Ma). The radiometricdates of the point are not available. However, U-Pb age fromOman coinciding with the negative carbon excursion has givenan age of 542 Ma.
On the Indian Subcontinent, the Ediacaran (terminalProterozoic) successions grading into Cambrian are exposedin north western part of the Indian Shield unconformablyoverlying the basement rocks of the Malani Igneous Suite ofthe Indian Shield, and are concealed below the Cenozoicsediments of the Indus and Gangetic plains and extend to theHimalaya where they rest unconformably over the oldestplatform-deposits referred to as the Salkhala/Simla-Jaunsar/Jutogh Groups (Supersequence III, Shanker et al., 1996) (Fig.1). These successions post-date major tectono-thermal eventassociated with Chengjiangian/Cadomian Orogeny inCryogenian and possibly Sturtian glaciation, and weredeposited in sea termed Palaeotethys-I (Shanker et al., 2002).These were studied in detail under IGCP (Project 29 & 303)and IUGS Project on Terminal Proterozoic (Kumar, 1995; Kumaret al., 1997). A review of the biota and trace fossils of otherProterozoic sequences of peninsular India such as theVindhyan Supergroup, and its equivalents the Bhima, Kurnool,Chhattisgarh, Indravati Groups, etc. occurring in detachedareas over the basement formed of the Archaean -Palaeoproterozoic terrane, suggest them to be Mesoproterozoic–Cryogenian (pre-Sturtian glaciation) (Maithy & Kumar, 2007).Hence, these are not discussed here in detail exceptingcomments on record of trace fossils from the Kurnool Groupby Babu (2005). The record of microbiota from the Buxa orChilleipam Formation, Arunachal Pradesh, Lesser Himalayaconsidered to be of Terminal Proterozoic-Cambrian age (Tiwari,2003) is also not discussed as the succession is intruded bygranite dating 1536+60 Ma (Kumar, 1997).
GEOLOGICAL SET-UP
The Protorodinia, an assembly of three Archaean-Palaeoproterozoic crustal blocks of the Indian Plate, viz.Dharwar (DB), Bundelkhand (BB), Trans-Aravalli (TAB) andeach separated by a mobile belt, formed the basement forsedimentation of platform sediments commencing fromMesoproterozoic. These three blocks sutured and weldedtogether ca 1600 Ma (Zhongyuean /Karelian Orogeny). Thefourth crustal block - the South Indian-Srilankan Granuite Block(SISLGB), welded to DB around ~500 Ma (Xingkaian/Pan-
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36 THE PALAEOBOTANIST
African Orogeny) to form part of the Gondwanaland (Shankeret al., 2002, 2005). During Precambrian, two platform deposits/sequences (Supersequence III & IV, Shanker et al.,1989; 1996)were deposited over the basement in seas referred to as thePrototethys and Palaeotethys, each with many phases ofevolution related to tectono-thermal events of globalsignificance (Shanker et al., 2002). The deposition of oldersequence (Supersequence III) took place in the Prototethyscommencing from Mesoproterozoic (ca 1500 Ma) andterminated with break-up of Rodinia ca 750 Ma (Chengjiangian/Cadomian Orogeny) in Cryogenian when sea regressedfollowed by the Sturtian glaciation. Imprints of other tectono-thermal events, viz. the Grevillian (ca 1100 Ma) and Jinningian(ca 850 Ma) are also preserved. The Vindhyan Supergroupand its equivalents Chhattisgarh in Central India; Cuddapah-Kurnool, Pakhal/Indravati, Bhima Groups, etc. in SouthernIndia, Bahraich-Madhubani Groups in the Indo-Gangetic Plainand are referred to as the Vaikrita/Jutogh and Jaunsar Groupsin the Himalaya are relicts of this sequence on Indian shield(Shanker et al. 1989).
The sedimentation of the Cryogenian - Cambriansequence (Supersequence IV) commenced with a glacio-marinesuccession with warming up of climate. This sea (Palaeotethys-I) remained restricted to northern part of the Protorodinia wheresequences located in northwestern part of Indian Shield andin many parts of the Lesser Himalayan and Higher/Tethyszones were deposited (Fig. 1). The sedimentation terminatedwith Xingkaian/Pan-African Orogeny in Late Cambrian (ca 500Ma). In Higher/Tethys Himalaya, this sequence isunconformably overlain by Ordovician – Early Carboniferoussediments while parts of the Lesser Himalaya and PeninsularShield remained a positive area until Early Permian marinetransgression. The successions located in the Krol Belt, LesserHimalaya (Fig. 2) and northwestern part of the Indian Shieldare siliciclastic in lower part and show development of thickcarbonate-evaporite facies with or without phosphorite inupper part while those in the Higher/Tethys Himalaya aredominantly siliciclastic (Fig. 3) (Kumar, 1995). In the Krol Belt,the sequence has been divided into Baliana, Krol and TalGroups. Of these, the Baliana is a glacio-marine sequence withdiamictite occurring at two levels, the basal referred as theMember-A and other constituting the Member-F of the BlainiFormation. Of these, the basal one may be equivalent to theSturtian Glacials while the top one represents the MarinoanGlacials.
In the Higher/Tethys Himalaya, the sequence in KashmirValley is divisible into Ramsu, Machhal, Lolab and Karihulformations in ascending order while in Spiti – Znaskar, it isrepresented by the Batal Formation and Debsa Khad andParahio formations of the Kunzam La Group (Kumar et al.,1997). In the northwestern part of the Indian Shield, the MarwarSupergroup may belong to this sequence.
EDIACARAN BIOTA AND ORGANO-SEDIMENTARYSTRUCTURES
Cryogenian (Terminal Proterozoic)-Cambriansuccessions exposed in many parts of India, rich biota hasonly been recorded from the Krol Belt, Lesser Himalaya, andKashmir Higher Himalaya. The sequences in the Higher/TethysHimalaya though have yielded trace fossils of Ichno-Zone I, IIand III, and Early Cambrian (Tommotian) to Middle and orearly Upper Cambrian trilobites and brachiopods, the record/yield of Terminal Proterozoic biota is poor (Maithy et al., 1988;Kumar et al., 1997), the diagnostic trace fossils of global Ichno-Zone I are not recorded, so far, for precise demarcation ofupper boundary of the Terminal Proterozoic (Raina et al., 1983).Practically, no biota has been recorded from the MarwarSupergroup of the peninsular India. The other sequences ofpeninsular India (Vindhyan, Bhima, Chhattisgarh, Kurnool)are not considered to belong to the Terminal Proterozoicsuccession (Supersequence IV) but are older as discussed byKumar et al., (1997) and Maithy and Kumar (2007).
HimalayaLesser Himalaya (Krol Belt)—The Cryogenian to
Cambrian succession – the Baliana, Krol and Tal groups isexposed in a linear zone stretching over 350 km in outer LesserHimalaya in many synclinal outliers such as the Pachmunda,Nigalidhar, Korgai, Mussoorie, Garhwal and Nainital Synclines.The biota is characterised by cyanobacteria and acritarchs,appearance and extinction of Ediacaran fossils, calcareousalgae, Conophytonoid and Gymnosolonid stromatolites anddevelopment of evaporite and phosphate deposits. Thesequence is conformably overlain by Early Cambriansuccession (Tal Group) yielding trace fossils of global Ichno-Zone III, small shelly fossils and stromatolites of theMeischucunian Zone I & III (Tommotian), redlichid trilobites,microgastropods and inarticulate brachiopods of Qiongzhusian(Atdabanian) and Tsanglangpuian (Botomian) Stage (Kumar,1984)(Fig. 4). Locally, the contact between the Krol and the TalGroup is unconformable/disconformable (Shanker, 1971; Kumar& Dhaundiyal, 1978; Jiang et al., 2002).
A review of the biota (Maithy & Kumar, 2007) showed amarked change within the Baliana Group from cyanophyceanalgae Blainiella comparable to extant algal form Hyella (Maithyet al., 1995), restricted to B-D Members of the Blaini Formation,to a rapid diversification of biota after Marinoan glaciation.Post-Marinoan Glacials Ediacaran biota is represented bymicrobialite Stratifera unduata from Member F, BlainiFormation (Sharma et al., 1994), organic walled microfossils(OWM) such as acritarchs belonging to Sphaeromorphida andSphaerohystrichomorphida Groups, vase-shaped microfossils,Cryptarch: Synaplomorphitae Subgroup and NematomorphitaeSubgroup, large acanthomorphic acritarchs (Ericasphera,Echinosphaeridium, Asterocapsoides), and Cyanobacterialremain Salome in Infra Krol of the Baliana Group (Acharyya
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ofc
alca
reou
ssi
ltst
one
and
shal
e(4
0m
).E
diac
aran
foss
ils:
Pter
inid
ium
sp.
... ~(/
) roP
urpl
esi
ltst
one,
shal
ean
dgr
een
shal
e\\
~th
lent
icul
ardo
lom
ite
(14
m).
Inad
join
ing
Gar
hwal
Syn
clin
eal
soco
ntai
nsro
Lo
wer
-,le
ntic
ular
beds
of
gyps
um.
Mah
iA
rgil
lace
ous
lim
esto
nein
terb
edde
dw
ith
gree
nish
grey
calc
areo
ussh
ale
(254
m).
Edi
acar
anm
etaz
oans
Cha
mba
,S
an
dst
on
e&
shale
wit
hle
nti
cula
rch
ert.
ghat
Infr
a-
Bla
cksh
ale
blea
chin
gto
ash
grey
.M
icro
foss
ils(O
WM
)K
rol
GR
ed-g
reen
shal
ean
dpi
nkis
hle
ntic
ular
dolo
mit
e(4
01).
Str
omat
olit
e
FD
iam
icti
te(5
5m
).
ED
ark
grey
shal
ein
terb
edde
dw
ith
thin
band
so
fqu
artz
aren
ite
(4:
I)(2
49m
).M
icro
biot
a.OJ C
Whi
tequ
artz
-wac
kein
terb
edde
dw
ith
shal
e(3
42m
)..!!
!D
roC
ongl
omer
ate.
atpl
aces
wit
hca
lc.
mat
rix
(56
m)
coB
lain
i
Gre
yish
whi
tear
enit
e(1
06
m).
CD
iam
icti
tew
ith
calc
areo
usb
and
s(5
0m
).M
icro
biot
a
Gre
enis
hto
purp
lequ
artz
aren
ite,
curr
ent
bedd
edw
ith
thin
shal
es(2
96m
).
BR
hyth
mit
e-
l,'T
eeni
sh&
grey
shal
ein
terb
edde
dw
ith
thin
aren
ite
(805
m).
Mic
robi
ota.
AL
enti
cula
rdi
amic
tite
and
orco
nglo
mer
ate
(13
7m
).
----------------------------------------
Un
con
form
ity
---------------------------------------
Base
men
tro
cks
of
the
Sim
lafJ
aun
sar
Gro
up
(Mes
op
rote
rozo
ic-
Neo
pro
tero
zoic
pre
-Stu
rtia
ng
laci
als)
Fig.
2-G
cllc
rali
sed
lith
ostr
atig
raph
yo
rth
eB
alia
na-K
rol-
Tal
Gro
up
s,K
rol
Bel
tL
cssc
rH
imal
aya,
Indi
a.
T C s: » ;Al
Ro s: » =i :c r :c [T1
tT1 o ;;- n » ;Al > Z -0 tT
1;A
l o o -:I VJ
r o :< tT1
;Al > Z o C -0 -0 tT
1;A
l
OJ o C Z o » ;Al
tT1
VJ z Z ~ » W -.J
38 THE PALAEOBOTANIST
et al., 1989; Prasad et al., 1990;Venkatachala et al., 1990; Tiwari& Azmi 1992; Tiwari & Knoll, 1994; Tiwari, 1996; Shukla et al.,2005a, b).
Within Krol Group the biota recorded includes richassemblage of Ediacaran fossils and acritarchs characterisedby smooth and sculptured-walled forms besides stromatolitesand calcareous algae. Shukla et al. (2005a) recorded anassemblage of microbial remains comprising cyanobacteria,multicellular tissues of algal thalli (thalophytes) belonging toRhodophyta, acritarchs and vase-shaped microfossils fromlenticles of phosphatic black chert and shale partingsassociated with sandstone from the Chambaghat Formation,algal filamentous forms, coccoid forms represented byacritarchs and spheroid colonies, (Kumar & Rai, 1992), emptysheaths of unbranched filaments, branching filamentsresembling eukaryotic forms and a form comparable toBangiophyceae (Gautam & Rai, 1997), Ediacaran fossils Nimbiasp. cf. N. occlusa from the Mahi Formation and Pterinidiumsp. cf. P. carolinaense and Charnodiscus sp. cf. C. arborensfrom Jarashi Formation (Shanker et al., 2004), Cyclomedusa,Conomedusites, Charniodiscus, Dickinsonia sp., Kimberellasp. cf. K. quadrata, and Beltanella sp. cf. B. gilesi from(Mathur & Shanker, 1989, 1990; Shanker & Mathur, 1992;Shanker et al., 1997; Mathur & Srivastava, 2004) andcalcareous algae Epiphyton and Renalcis along with Oleckmiaare known from the Kauriyala Formation (Gansser, 1964; Singh& Rai, 1983). Prasad et al. (1990) recorded acritarchs belongingto Sphaeromorphida Group from Mussoorie. The assemblageis characterised by smooth and sculptured-walled acritarchs.
Stromatolites are reported from Kauriyala Formation (KrolD) of Nainital and Mussoorie Synclines (Fuchs & Sinha 1974;Singh & Rai, 1977; Tewari, 1984). Linked Conophyton,Stratifera, Aldania and Irregularia and branchingstromatolites are important forms.
Higher /Tethys Himalaya—In Kashmir,Sphaeromorphida acritarchs, tubular cyanophyte forms andglobular colonies recorded from upper 480 m of the MachhalFormation to 580 m of the overlying Razdain Member of theLolab Formation (Maithy et al., 1988) and of the two tracefossil assemblages, the assemblage-I Planolites beverleyensis– P. reticulatus in association with Skolithos and Brgaueriafrom the Razdain Member, Lolab Formation, Kashmir suggestpresence of Ediacaran elements in the Kashmir Valley. Theoverlying upper part of the Razdain Member, Lolab Formationhas yielding trace-fossil Assemblage II and III of EarlyCambrian age (Raina et al., 1983, Kumar et al., 1984). Thus, theconglomerate occurring at top of the Ramsu Formation maybe equivalent to the Marinoan Glacials.
In Spiti Valley and Zanskar area, the yield of biota belowthe trace fossil assemblage III is very poor (Kumar et al., 1984,Kumar, 1995). Therefore, it is not possible to define both theboundaries viz. Cryogenian-Ediacaran and Ediacaran-Cambrian, in terms of GSSPs. However, entire Batal Formationmay be of Ediacaran age.
Indo-Gangetic Plain (Ganga Plain)The Vindhyan sequence, unconformably overlying the
Bundelkhand Gneissic Complex, continues northwards and isconcealed below the Cenozoic sediments. It is divided intothe Bahraich and Madhubani groups, the latter is furthersubdivided into the Ujhani, Tilhar and Karanpur formations inascending order (Shukla et al., 1994). Maithy and Kumar (2007)have reviewed the records of biota. According to them, theBahraich Group is dominated by acritarchs belonging toSphaeromorphida Group, Ujhani contains acritarchsGranomarginata, Orygmatosphaeridium, Vavosphaeridium,Kildinella, Nucellosphaeridium and algae Myxococcoides,Palaeoanacystis and Gunflintia (Maithy et al., 1983), TilharFormation records Protosphaeridium and Vavosphaeridiumand the Karanpur contains Leiosphaeridia, Granomarginata,Lophosphaeridium, Ellipsaletes and Dictyotidium (Prasad &Asher, 2001). They, thus, disagreed with Prasad & Asher (2001)on age assignment of the Madhubani Group to range fromlatest Vendian to Lower Devonian, and considered the Bahraichand Ujhani to be equivalent to the Semri Group(Mesoproterozoic) while the Tilhar and Karanpur representthe Bhander Group ranging in age from Mesoproterozoic toCryogenian (pre-Sturtian glaciation). A review of the overallOWM indicates that the assemblage is dominated by ornateacritarchs in association with simple ones and Chitinozoa withsimple morphology. In Silurian and Devonian, acritarchs withcomplex spine (branched) and ornamentation are known alongwith complex Chitinozoa and trilete spores. The presentanalysis, however, indicates the upper age limit may extendonly up to Cambrian.
Peninsular RegionA review of biota from the platform sequences, viz.
Vindhyan, Chhattisgarh, Pakhhal Supergroups, Kurnool andBhima Groups by Maithy and Kumar (2007) shows that thesesequence range in age from Mesoproterozoic to Cryogenian(pre-Sturtian glacials). It is only from the Marwar Supergroup,northwestern India some elements indicative of Cryogenian-Lower Cambrian age are known.
Marwar Supergroup—It unconformably overlies theMalani Igneous Suite (Malani Rhyolite 745+10 Ma; SiwanaGranite 731+14 Ma) or Palaeoproterozoic metasediments.Based on subsurface data (Pareek, 1981, 1984; Das Gupta &Bulgauda, 1994; Peters et al., 1995) divided the MarwarSupergroup into five groups, viz. the Jodhpur, Bilara, HanseranEvaporite, Nagaur and Birmania (Upper Carbonate) in anascending order. Sinha-Roy et al. (1998), on the other hand,divided the Marwar Supergroup into the three groups, viz. (i)the Jodhpur comprising Pokhran Boulder Bed, SoniaSandstone and Girbhakar Sandstone, (ii) Hanseran/Bilaradivisible into Dhanapa Dolomite/Birmania Formation, GotanLimestone and Pondlo Dolomite, and (iii) Nagaur Group madeup of Nagaur Sandstone and Tunklian Sandstone in anascending order. Mazumdar and Strauss (2006), on the basis
Geo
logi
cS
piti
Kas
hmir
Eas
tern
Kum
aun
Age
cc
ce
l-e
l-e
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ive
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thin
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~~
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s
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rey
quar
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flag
gyto
mas
sive
Q)
Dar
kgr
eyla
min
ated
shal
ean
dar
enite
.qu
artz
iteat
base
(950
m).
Red
lich
iano
elli
ngi
inup
per
part.
.;:
c-0
.D::
l
'"w
ithsh
ale
part
ings
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chia
sp.
rP
aoko
nnia
sp.
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..c.D
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"'"
U'"
0E
V>
Inte
rbed
ded
grey
purp
lesl
ate/
phyl
lite
and
quar
tzite
(550
m).
>-
.D...
J~
.,...
~C
l~
0 ....J
cG
reyi
shgr
een
shal
e,sl
ate,
silt
ston
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Rhy
thm
ical
tern
atio
no
fth
inbe
dded
Purp
le,
grey
,gr
eeni
shgr
eyph
yllit
ew
ithqu
artz
iteba
nds
(450
-0
'"an
dfla
ggy
quar
tzite
....N
grey
shal
ean
dar
enit
em
).C
'"'"
0c
'"~
c.::t::
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.'"
Thi
nly
inte
rbed
ded
gree
nish
grey
phyl
lite
and
quar
tzite
(864
'ro'"
~:r::
:r::m
)c
Silv
ergr
eyph
yllit
ew
ithar
enac
eous
band
s(3
13m
).'".... '"
DD
ark
grey
phyl
lite
and
silts
tone
.D
ark
grey
tobl
ack
carb
onac
eous
phyl
lite,
atpl
aces
grap
hitic
,t)
.~
::J
-0.~
and
chlo
ritic
phyl
lite
(450
m).
t.r.l
co
Gre
ygr
een
phyl
lite,
grey
quar
tzit
e~
Dom
inan
tlygr
eyph
yllit
ew
ithba
nds
ofq
uart
zite
tow
ards
base
~..c
(290
m).
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dca
rbon
aceo
usph
yllit
e...c t
)
CO'"
Dia
mic
tite
ingr
eeni
shar
eno-
Spor
adic
clas
tsin
low
erpa
rt~
CSi
lver
grey
phyl
lite
with
inte
rbed
ded
thin
quar
tzite
(206
m).
car
gilla
ceou
sm
atri
x.
'" cB
Slat
e,sl
aty
phyl
lite
with
occa
sion
al,
(5G
amet
ifer
ous
grey
phyl
lite
and
quar
tzit
e(1
65m
)an
dfo
liate
d...
-'"0
0ba
nds
ofq
uart
zite
.Iq
uart
zite
with
biot
itebe
arin
gph
yllit
e(6
7m
).0
~C
Gre
enis
hsc
hist
ose
quar
tzite
with
Kya
nite
-,si
llim
anite
-,sa
turo
lite-
,ga
rnet
mic
asc
hist
with
UA
occa
sion
alpe
bble
toco
bble
size
dm
icac
eous
quar
tzite
and
band
edca
lc-s
ilica
tein
trud
edby
clas
tsgr
anite
,apl
ite(2
39m
).
Fig
.3
-Gen
eral
ised
lilh
ostr
atig
raph
yo
fC
ryog
cnia
n-E
diac
aran
-Ear
lyC
ambr
ian
succ
essi
ons
inS
pili
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imac
hal
Pra
desh
and
Kas
hmir
Val
ley.
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K.
7'
C s:: ;> ;;0 Ro s:: ;> -j :c -< ~ :c m m o ;> n ;> ;;0 ;> Z .." m ;;0 <5 o ::j vi r o ~ m ;;0 ;> Z o C .." ..., m ;;0 to o C Z o ;> ;;0 m til Z Z o :; w -0
Bal
ian
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rou
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Gro
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Bla
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For
mat
ion
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riya
laF
orm
atio
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.
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ber
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BIO
TA
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Ed
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Ple
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lina
ense
?
Cha
mio
dise
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.cf
.ar
bore
us?
?')
?
Bel
lane
llif
ornv
ssp
.???
Med
usin
iles
sp.
???
Tlra
sian
asp
.???
Cye
/om
edus
asp
.???
Bel
lane
lla
sp.
???
Sekw
iasp
.??
?Ir
idin
ilUs
sp.
?')?
Nim
bia
sp.
cf.
Noc
e/us
a??
cf.
Dic
lans
onia
?')
')
Con
omed
usit
essp
.???
Acr
itar
cha:
Sp
hae
rom
orp
hid
a:
LeI
osph
aeri
dia
cras
sa??
L.ef
fiJsa
??
L.ho
lled
ahli
i??
Bal
tlsp
/lae
ridi
ut:!
perr
aum
??
Mar
gom
inus
cula
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plex
??
?
Gra
nom
argi
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prim
iliv
a??
G.
prim
a'I
?
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goni
spha
endi
umm
axim
um??
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chyh
ystr
icho
spha
era
vida
lii
?,)
Ivlic
roco
ncen
rric
ain
crus
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??
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c/ly
spha
erid
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nuat
lin
??
??
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i'I
??
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??
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ium
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-i
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ica
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??
??
??
Sym
plas
soap
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ium
sp.
??
??
??
Satk
aco
loni
alic
a??
??
Par
acra
ssop
haer
ade
dale
a??
Lop
hosp
aher
idiu
msp
.??
Mic
rhys
trid
ium
lanc
eola
ntum
??
Van
dalo
spha
erid
ium
reti
clll
atum
??
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goni
spha
endi
umpl
ndyi
um??
Sp
hae
roh
ystr
ich
omor
phi
da:
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cias
phae
rasp
jeld
naes
ii??
Ecl
JJno
spha
erid
ium
max
imum
??
Ast
eroc
apso
ides
sp.
??
Mic
rhys
trid
ium
echl
nuat
um??
Mto
rnat
um??
?
Mic
roco
ncen
tric
aln
crus
tata
??
Ger
mln
osph
aera
uDls
plno
sa??
Par
acra
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phae
rade
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a??
Mic
rhst
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umec
hlnu
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um17
Mre
gula
re??
Mea
/one
nsls
??
Arc
haeo
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rich
osph
aend
ium
ce//
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??
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mir
etic
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um?,
)
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nob
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Bla
lnie
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mor
pha
??????
??
??
??
??
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??
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ides
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??
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n
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raph
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ica
??
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nacy
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aris
?')
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phae
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.7
')
Vet
eron
osto
cale
mO
Dlli
form
e??
Eom
icro
co/e
uscr
assa
Gun
flin
tia
sp.
cf.
G.
mln
uta
??
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??
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me
hube
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ils
??
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onop
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sse
patu
m??
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bust
um??
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rugo
sum
??
Sin
orna
tum
??
r: c 3:: ;J> ;:0 Ro 3:: ::: -i ::c -< I -i :c rn rn o ;; () ;J> ;:0 ;J> Z v rn ;:0 (5 o =J VJ r o :E rn ;0 ;J> Z o C v v rn ;:0 co o c z o ;J> ;0 rn VJ z z o ;J> ""
Eom
orph
ldiu
mor
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rmis
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Salh
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nia
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uche
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rofo
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ti.
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1987
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amak
rish
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1987
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97)
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Fig.
5-8
iota
and
corr
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of
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oter
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cII
sequ
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fter
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um
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2007
).
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Fig.
6-C
orr
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ion
of
Edi
acar
anS
yste
m(m
odif
ied
afte
rK
noll
cla
i,20
05)
KUMAR & MAITHY—THE EDIACARAN PERIOD: IT'S LOWER AND UPPER BOUNDARIES IN INDIA 47
of sulfur and strontium isotopic composition of carbonate andevaporite rocks, have considered coeval nature of the BilaraFormation and Hanseran Evaporite. According to them thestrontium isotopic composition “are comparable to thecontemporaneous global seawater 87Sr/86Sr ratios, recordingan increase during post-Varangerian time”. No diamictitehorizons are known. The Jodhpur Group may represent theCryogenian Period as stromatolites Colleniapseudocolumanaris, Collenia sp., Concollenia, Cryptozoanaccidentalis, Irregularia sp. and Stratifera, recorded fromoverlying Bilara (Burman, 1980), are known from EdiacaranPeriod. Moreover, a significant depletion in δ13C values in theupper part of the Bilara Formation and short lived positiveexcursion in δ13C values in Birmania Formation at the level ofphosphorite (Kumar et al., 1997) may be correlative to similarexcursions noticed elsewhere at the Precambrian-Cambrianboundary (Kumar et al., 1997).
Vindhyan, Chhattisgarh, Pakhhal Supergroups, Kurnooland Bhima Groups
Maithy and Kumar (2007) have already reviewed the biotafrom the Vindhyan, Chhattisgarh, Pakhhal Supergroups,Kurnool and Bhima groups of Peninsular India. The biotarecorded from these successions is summarised (Fig. 5).
Stromatolites—Two distinct types of stromatoliteassemblages are known. The lower assemblage is characterisedby Kussiella, Conophyton cylindricus, Jacutophyton,Anabaria and Colonnella suggesting Early to Middle Ripheanage for Semri Group and its equivalents. The upper zonepreserves Tungussia, Baicalia and Gymnosolen. Theassemblage suggesting an Upper Riphean age is known fromRaipur (Chhattisgarh Supergroup) and Bhander groups (UpperVindhyan) (Moitra, 2003). No stromatolite has been recordedfrom the Kaimur and Rewa groups due to absence of carbonatehorizon.
Carbonaceous macrofossils—The carbonaceousmacrofossils Chuaria and Tawuia are recorded from theVindhyan Supergroup at different horizons, viz. the Baghwar(Suket) Shale (Semri Group), Jhiri Shale (Rewa Group) to theSirbu Shale and Bhavpura (Dholpura) Shale of Bhander Group(Maithy, 2003), Kurnool Group (Owk Shale by Sharma &Shukla, 1999) and Bhima Group (Halkal Shale) (Maithy & Babu,1996). The record of Chuaria-Tawuia association in theyoungest formation of the Vindhyan indicates that the entireVindhyan succession and its equivalents are older thanSturtian glaciation. Up till now this assemblage is known belowSturtian glaciation (Cryogenian).
Hofmann (1992) has speculated that Chuaria and Tawuiamay represent an alternation of generations of eukaryoticorganism. Maithy (2003) presumed that Chuaria and otherdiscoid forms are representing the gametophytic generationand Tawuia and other elongated forms are representingsporophytic generation of an extinct member of an alga. Das
Sarma et al. (1992) claimed presence of macrofossil Sabelliditesfrom the Halkal Formation, Bhima Group. The specimen wasexamined and fresh collections were made from the same bedduring a field trip during 1993 under the aegis of IGCP Project303 – Precambrian – Cambrian Event Stratigraphy. In thecollection there were Chuaria circularis and Tawuia withcircular structures at the terminal end and Beltina (Maithy &Babu, 1996). Similar forms are now well known from Meso-Neoproterozoic sequence of India and all of these forms arenow considered representing different stages of life cycle ofChuaria-Tawuia (Maithy, 2003) and Maithy and Babu (1996)compared Sabellidites with Tawuia dalaensis.
Acritarchs—These are well known from sedimentsranging from youngest bed of Semri Group – Bhagwar Shale,Kaimur Group, Rewa Group and Bhander Group (Maithy, 2003).The available data indicates that the Semri, Kaimur and Rewagroups are characterised by dominant presence ofLeiosphaeridia sensu Jankauskas. In younger Bhander Group,the Sphaeromorphida acritarchs are more complex inorganisation. They may have inner body –Nucellophaeridium, walls with broad reticulam –Favosphaeridium and with encircling narrow wing-likestructure – Cymatosphaera. Additionally, fewAcanthomorphida acritarch vesicles are recorded with simpleshort processes, viz. Baltisphaeridium and Michrystridium.The presence of vase-shaped microfossil MelanocyrilliumBloesser, a Neoproterozoic form is important (Maithy & Babu,1997). Until now typical Cambrian Acritarcha groupsEllipsomorphida, Ooidomorphida and Versimorphida are notknown, thus indicating absence of Terminal Proterozoicelements in the Vindhyan sequence.
Trace-fossils and reports of other fossils—Presence ofichno-fossils in form of surface trails and tubes reported fromthe Vindhyan Supergroup (Semri and Bhander groups) by manyworkers, and Kurnool Group (Owk Shale, Paniam Quartzite,Kolikuntala Limestone and Nandyal Shale as listed by Babu,2005). The reports from Vindhyan were dismissed as most ofthem have been are of inorganic in origin (Maithy, 2003; Sharma,2003). Most of recent reports of trace fossils attributed totriploblastic animals from Chorhat Sandstone belonging toKheinjua Formation (Semri Group) (Seilacher et al., 1998) havebeen debated (Hofmann, 2005). Knoll and Carroll (1999), andKumar (1999) have doubted the interpretation. Surface trailsin single and paired rows from the Nagod (Lakheri) Limestonefrom Bainkurian, Rewa District and large diameter burrowsfrom Bundi Hill Sandstone, Bhander Group from Maihar(Maithy, 2003), however, need careful analysis for their biogenicor abiogenic origin.
Some of these ‘trace fossils’ from the Kurnool Group,available in the Palaeontology Laboratory, Geological Surveyof India, Hyderabad, were also examined during 1993. In ouropinion, most of these reports are either inorganic structuresor synaeresis mud cracks, hence not of any stratigraphic useand are dismissed. Moreover, the Owk Shale contains definite
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KUMAR & MAITHY—THE EDIACARAN PERIOD: IT'S LOWER AND UPPER BOUNDARIES IN INDIA 49
early Neoproterozoic Chuaria-Tawuia (Sharma & Shukla,1999). Therefore, the records of Cambrian trace fossils aredoubtful and so are other associated fossils from conformablyoverlying Paniam Quartzite to Nandyal Shale. Babu (2005) haslisted but not illustrated and described the reports.
Presence of Sekwia, a Neoproterozoic form, reportedfrom Lakheri Limestone, Bhander Group, has been consideredto be cocoons of Annelida (Maithy & Babu, 1997) andNeoproterozoic sponge genus Palaeophragmodictya wasreported from the youngest beds of Vindhyan, Bhavpura Shale,Lakheri, Rajasthan (Shanker et al., 2000). This possiblysuggest their evolution may have started much earlier in thehistory of earth in light of molecular clock estimates suggestingthat the divergence of protostome and deuterostome animalstook place as early as 1,000-1,300 Ma (Sharma, 2003).
Babu (2005) has listed a number of trace-fossils fromconformably overlying Paniam Quartzite without anyillustrations and description. Report of variety of small ShellyFossils from the topmost part of the Rohtasgarh Limestoneand Shale, Semri Group (Lower Vindhyan) from two areasnamely Maihar and Rohtas in the Son Valley assigning basalMeischucunian/Tommotian (Early Cambrian) age Azmi (1998)has been debated and examined by several workers (Bhatt etal., 1999; Bhatt, 2003; Sharma, 2003). They considered thereported specimens to be inorganic material some werediagenitically produced sedimentary structure ‘cone-in cone’which has a pointed apex that flares outwards with undulatorysurface or principally mineral growth or made up of fibrouscalcite/secondary calcite vein.
C, O, Sr and Pb isotopic studies—Recent C, O, Sr and Pbisotope systematics of carbonates sequence of the VindhyanSupergroup do not support Ediacaran (Vendian) – Cambrianage for the Bhander Group. According to Ray et al. (2003), thePb-Pb isochron age (ca. 650 Ma) for the Bhander Limestone isnot reliable due to small spread in 206Pb/204Pb. The 87Sr/86Srratios, on the other hand, suggest a Mid-Neoproterozoic (~750Ma) age for the Bhander Limestone and an early Late-Neoproterozoic age (~650 Ma) for the Lakheri Limestone whichaccording to them may be more altered.
In the Bhima Group, the results of δ13C and δ18O valuesrange between +0.89 to 3.59‰ PDB (majority custering around2‰ PDB) and -5.37 to -9.18‰ PDB, respectively. Kumar et al.(1999) and Das Sharma and Kumar (1999), on the other hand,also record carbon isoptope values varying from 0 ‰ to 4‰PDB along with 87Sr/86Sr ratios on a few samples rangingbetween 0.7075 and 0.7083. They are of the opinion that thesepoint to post-Varanger depositional age (Termial Proterozoic)for the Bhima carbonates. There are minor deflections withinpositive carbon isotopic values but no negative deflectioncomparable either to Cryogenian-Ediacaran boundary or toPrecambrian-Cambrian transition has been recorded. Theoxygen isotope values are 9.18‰ PDB in basal part of theSahabad Formation which gradually decrease to -6‰ PDB as
one moves upwards to middle part (Bhattacharya et al., 1996).Since only a few representative samples of carbonates wereanalysed by them for 87Sr/86Sr ratios it is difficult to arrivesome definite conclusions for inter/intrabasinal correlation andage. Kumar and Maithy (1999) have already argued againstsuch a correlation. In addition, absence of well establishedrecord of global events such as Cryogenian (Vendian)glaciations (Sturtian and Marinoan), and development ofphosphorite at Precambrian-Cambrian boundary from theVindhyan Supergroup, also do not support latest Cryogenian- Ediacaran (late Vendian) age (ca 650-544 Ma) as suggestedby the authors. These global events are well known from otherparts on Indian subcontinent and are globally correlatable(Knoll et al., 2006). It is on the basis of overall biota, the BhimaGroup is considered older than the Sturtian glaciation.
CROGENIAN–EDIACARAN BOUNDARY
On the Indian platform, as per GSSP, the lower boundaryof the Ediacaran Period is defined lithostratigraphically at thebase of the Pink Limestone (Member G) in the Baliana Groupin the Lesser Himalaya. Significant depletion in δ13C values isalso recorded in pink carbonate (Kumar et al., 2000). This bedoverlies the top bed of diamictite (Member F) of the BlainiFormation which is considered equivalent to the MarinoanGlacials. Global correlation is given (Fig. 6).
In absence of ‘cap carbonate’ from Higher/TethysHimalayan successions of Kashmir Valley, Spiti Valley andZanskar area, and in northwestern peninsular India, Rajasthan,the boundary could not be defined precisely.
EDIACARAN–TOMMOATIAN BOUNDARY
The Upper boundary with the Cambrian cannot beascertained in terms of GSSP (Landing, 1994) due to absenceof Cambrian trace fossil of global Ichno-Zone – II (Kumar,1995; Kumar et al., 1997) (Fig. 7). However, a significantdepletion in δ13C values has also been recorded in the upperpart of carbonate facies of the Krol Group between the horizonsyielding Ediacaran fossils and Early Cambrian phosphoritebed containing small shelly fossils of the Meischucunian Zone– I in the overlying Tal Group (Bhattacharya et al., 1996; Jianget al., 2002). This depletion has also been recorded in theMarwar Supergroup below the phosphorite bed, and can becorrelated with that recorded from Precambrian-Cambriantransition sequences (Kumar et al., 1997).
CONCLUSIONS
An analysis of the biological remains and organo-sedimentary structures from the Neoproterozoic of the IndianSubcontinent suggest that:
50 THE PALAEOBOTANIST
1. Biological remains and ichno-fossils from the LesserHimalaya – Krol Belt, Higher/Tethys Himalaya, Kashmir,possibly Karanpur Formation of the Madhubani Group,Ganga Plain and Marwar Supergroup, northwestern partof Indian Shield suggest presence of Ediacaransuccessions. Of these, the Baliana-Krol-Tal successionof the Krol Belt, exposed in the Maldeota Section,Mussoorie Syncline, is the best where the Lower andUpper Boundaries of the Ediacaran Period are identifiableon the basis of lithology and or depletion in δ13C values.
2. The Lower boundary of the Ediacaran Period is definedlithostratigraphically at the base of the Pink Limestone(Member G, Blaini Formation) in the Baliana Group in theLesser Himalaya. Significant depletion in δ13C values isalso recorded in pink carbonate.
3. Of the two levels of the diamictite of the Blaini Formation,the top one (Member F) is equivalent to Marinoan Glacialswhile the Lower (Member A) may be correlative to theSturtian Glacials.
4. The upper boundary of the period could not be preciselydefined due to absence of age-diagnostic trace fossilassemblage. However, the significant depletion in δ13Cvalues recorded in the upper part of the KauriyalaFormation (Krol E) may be considered to mark theboundary as the excursion is correlatable globally.
5. In the northwestern peninsular India (Rajasthan), Higher/Tethys Himalaya (Kashmir Valley, Spiti Valley and Zanskararea), though the data suggest presence of EdiacaranPeriod deposits, it is not possible to define both theboundaries, viz. Cryogenian-Ediacaran and Ediacaran-Cambrian, in terms of GSSPs due to absence of diagnosticbiota/horizon.
6. Biotic evidences from the Vindhyan Supergroup,Chhattisgarh Supergroup, Bhima and Kurnool groupsdo not suggest their age ranging from Ediacaran (terminalProterozoic) – Cambrian. Presence of macroscopic fossilChuaria – Tawuia and dominant acritarchs belonging toSphaeromorphida suggest the date earlier than pre-Sturtian glaciation.
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