The Ministry of Science and Technology recently announced findings from an extensive study conducted by the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP) that utilized advanced microscopic analysis, chemistry methods, Raman Spectroscopy, RockEval Pyrolysis, and FTIR Spectroscopy to examine ancient sedimentary rocks in the Godavari Basin, India. This research revealed evidence of palaeofires occurring during the Permian period approximately 250 million years ago. The study uncovered distinct differences between 'in situ' fires that occurred on the land where they burned and 'ex situ' charcoal, which may have been transported by wind or water.
These findings also demonstrated how variations in rock stratification influenced the deposition of charcoal particles, with better-preserved fire signatures present during times when sea levels were low and reduced (regressive phases). Conversely, during higher sea levels (transgressive phases), the charcoal was found to be more mixed and oxidized, indicating environmental changes. The research contributes significantly to palaeofire studies by offering insights into carbon storage in Earth's crust which is relevant for understanding past ecosystems, vegetation shifts, fire dynamics, and enhancing techniques for paleoclimate reconstructions based on geological evidence.
The implications of this study for carbon sequestration are crucial considering the global effort against present climate change. These findings also provide a refined toolset for geo-scientists studying historical climates and landscapes due to their significance in improving dating methods and palaeoenvironmental interpretations.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Science Technology: Government ministry responsible for science and technology.
Echoes of Ancient Flames: Unraveling the Fire Chronicles of Permian India: Title of the announcement or study being reported.
PIB Delhi: Press Information Bureau, Delhi, the source of the news release.
06 MAY 2025: Date of the press release.
Godavari Basin: Geographical location in peninsular India where the research was conducted.
Late Silurian: Geological period ranging from 419.2 to 443.8 million years ago (mya).
Quaternary: Geological period, specifically 2.58 mya.
Permian: Geological period when widespread wildfires occurred, approximately 250 million years ago.
Gondwana: Ancient supercontinent where Permian coal-bearing formations with macroscopic charcoal were found.
Raniganj Coalfield: Specific location in India where fossil charcoal was first identified, revealing connections between palaeomire systems and fires.
Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences BSIP Lucknow: Autonomous research institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) that conducted the research.
Department of Science and Technology DST: Government department overseeing the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences.
Dr. Neha Aggarwal: Lead scientist of the research team.
ACS Omega: Name of the journal in which the study was published.
Raman Spectroscopy, RockEval Pyrolysis and FTIR Spectroscopy: Techniques used to decode the fire story.
carbon sequestration: A critical strategy in the fight against modern climate change.
NKRPSM: Appears to be a reference or identifier associated with the release.
PALCH: Palaeofireinduced charcoal
OXCH: Oxidized charcoal
TrOM: Translucent organic matter
Ministry of Science & Technology
Echoes of Ancient Flames: Unraveling the Fire
Chronicles of Permian India
Posted On: 06 MAY 2025 6:03PM by PIB Delhi
In the heart of peninsular India, beneath the layers of time and rock in the Godavari Basin, lies a charred
archive of Earth’s fiery past. Scientists have now opened that archive using a powerful blend of microscopic
analysis and advanced chemistry. What they found may change the way we read Earth’s geological and
climatic history.
From the Late Silurian (spanning from 419.2 to 443.8 million years ago (mya) to the Quaternary (2.58 mya)
period. Palaeofires left their mark on landscapes, influencing vegetation, climate, and even the formation of
coal.
Scientists had long observed macroscopic charcoal in Permian coal-bearing formations across Gondwana,
hinting at widespread wildfires. The Raniganj Coalfield in India was among the first sites where fossil
charcoal was identified, revealing a connection between palaeomire systems and seasonal drought-induced
fires.
High atmospheric oxygen levels during the Permian may have intensified these events, yet the exact nature of
these fires—whether they were in situ burns or transported remnants—remained unclear. Geologists struggled
to tell whether it was the result of local fires or transported by wind or water.
Scientists from Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP) Lucknow, an autonomous institute of the
Department of Science and Technology (DST), traced the fingerprints of ancient wildfires—palaeofires—that
once swept through prehistoric landscapes some 250 million years ago during the Permian period.
The researchers embarked on a meticulous investigation, analyzing shale samples—fine-grained sedimentary
rocks rich in organic material—collected from deep within the Godavari Basin. Using palynofacies analysis,
they first categorized tiny particles of organic matter preserved in the rock.
Fig: Graphical abstract representing the integrated approach to resolve palaeofire activity during thePermian in Godavari Basin
These particles included translucent organic matter (TrOM) like pollen and plant bits, Palaeofire-induced
charcoal (PAL-CH)—clear evidence of fire and Oxidized charcoal (OX-CH)—possibly transported or altered
after burning.
The team led by Dr. Neha Aggarwal used techniques like Raman Spectroscopy, Rock-Eval Pyrolysis and
FTIR Spectroscopy to truly decode the fire story etched in these ancient rocks.
The study published in the journal ACS Omega provides a clear differentiation between in situ (on-site) and
ex situ (transported) charcoal—a major leap in palaeofire research.
The team also made a remarkable observation --the stratigraphy—or layering—of the rock influenced how
charcoal was deposited. Phases when sea levels dropped (regressive phases), well-preserved fire signatures
were found. During sea level rise (transgressive phases), the charcoal was more mixed and oxidized, hinting at
dynamic environmental shifts during the Permian.
Understanding how organic matter transforms during palaeofires provides insights into long-term carbon
storage in Earth’s crust. This has major implications for carbon sequestration, a critical strategy in the fight
against modern climate change.
It also offers geologists a refined lens through which to interpret past ecosystems, vegetation changes, and fire
dynamics—vital tools for improving palaeoclimate reconstructions and geological dating techniques.
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NKR/PSM
(Release ID: 2127307)