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Research Highlights 2004-05 |
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The Apectodinium dinocyst peak is integrated with negative carbon isotope excursion in the Jathang Hill Section, Mawsynram Plateau (Meghalaya) and used to identify the global Palaeocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) Event. Palaeocene/Eocene boundary in the section is demarcated as per the latest concepts. Presence of Sparnacian (latest Palaeocene) sediments is identified for the first time in this region. Occurrence of impersistent coal horizons in Khasi Hills is supposed to be related to the global extreme warming event associated with PETM. |
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Several Palaeosol horizons, characterized by lateritic horizon associated with iron oolitic bands, have been identified in the basal part of Subathu Formation from Nilkanth and Tal valley areas (Uttaranchal). |
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Pollen analysed sediment cores/samples from Shahdol District (MP), Chilka Lake (Orissa), Mandi District (HP), Kumaun Himalaya, and around Dilli Colliery (Assam) for depicting Quaternary vegetation and climatic phases. |
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Presence of reworked palynomorph (?Permian) trapped in Antarctic continental ice sheet proves the nearness of the existing sedimentary rocks. |
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Archaeobotanical studies related to ancient plant economic practices carried out from certain archaeological excavation sites of Uttar Pradesh to generate considerable information on agricultural economy and other botanical remains. |
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Tree ring analysis data of deodar (Cedrus deodara) samples from Uttarkashi (Uttaranchal) shows that the age of oldest sample extends back to 1287 AD, helping in maximizing the climate signals in mean tree-ring chronology. |
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Reconstructed three major palaeolakes in the Ladakh region. Also studied soft-sediment deformation structures and established a chronology for the palaeo earthquake that may have hit the region during the Late Quaternary times. |
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Ultrastructure studies have been carried out on fruits/seeds of some species of Terminalia of family Combretaceae to understand developmental stages of the pericarp and other details. |
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Radiocarbon dating of certain palynologically analysed samples was done. Besides, designed a mini glass system that can determine precisely the carbon content of a small quantity of sediment sample (about 150 mg). |
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Memorandum of Understanding
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As per the MOU signed between Institute and Geological Survey of India (Coal Wing), initiated collection and studies of samples of different coalfields of the country with the objective of intra-/inter-basinal correlation through high-resolution stratigraphic and palynological, and coal petrological studies on selected areas of Gondwana coal basins. The Institute already has an MOU with Oil and Natural Gas Corporation to work on the palynostratigraphy and source rock potential studies of Siwalik and Subathu sediments of Himachal Pradesh, and Quaternary palynological studies of K–G Basin.
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Steps for long term major collaborations with Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (on source rock palynology), Delta Studies Institute, Visakhapatnam (on delta/basin modelling in relation to hydrocarbon exploration), Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun (on Himalayan stratigraphy), National Institute of Oceanography (on Quaternary palaeoclimate of marine coastal areas) and National Center for Antarctic and Ocean Research, Goa (on Antarctica palaeoclimate study) have been taken and are at various stages of formulation of MOU/discussions. Certain Private Sector Oil majors have also approached Institute for biostratigraphical studies.
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Commemoration & Memorial Lectures
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On the occasion of 58th Foundation Day of the Institute, Professor P. Ramachandra Rao of Banaras Hindu University (Varanasi) delivered the 8th Jubilee Commemoration Lecture on Trees: An Engineer’s Delight at the Institute on September 10, 2004.
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On Founder’s Day (November 14th), Professor A.K. Singhvi of Physical Research Laboratory (Ahmedabad) delivered the 34th Birbal Sahni Memorial Lecture on the topic The Human Dimension of Geosciences. Professor S.K. Tandon of University of Delhi (New Delhi) delivered the 50th Sir Albert Charles Seward Memorial Lecture on Stratigraphic Records of Late Quaternary Climate Shifts in the Thar and its Margins.
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National Events
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Like every year, Institute celebrated Independence Day and Republic Day. The National Science Day has been observed in accordance with directions from the DST with the theme being ‘Celebration of Physics’. Few lectures, and a debate competition, a collage competition, a Face-to-Face programme on ‘Tsunami’ for school students, and a speech-competition on the topic ‘Space Science is a Luxury for India’ for degree-students were organized at the Institute. The National Technology Day has also been observed as open house. A lecture on this day was delivered by Sri G.S. Srivastava, Ex-Dy. Director General, GSI on Geoscientific Database Management. |
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