BSIP study finds molecular evidence of ancient Gondwana wildfires preserved in coal
Researchers at the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), an autonomous institute of DST, found molecular evidence of massive wildfires that swept ancient Gondwana forests about 250 million years ago, as reported on 25 May 2026.
Summary
Researchers from BSIP, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, used a multi-proxy approach combining palynofacies analysis (study of tiny organic matter in sedimentary rocks) with molecular methods such as Raman spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to reconstruct Permian palaeofire events. The work provides molecular evidence of massive wildfires in ancient Gondwana forests nearly 250 million years ago that shaped Earth's climate, vegetation and coal-forming environments. It helps distinguish oxidised opaque phytoclasts (OX-CH) from fire-induced ones (PAL-CH), which earlier microscope-only studies found hard to tell apart.
Key facts
- Institute
- Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), autonomous institute of DST
- Finding
- Molecular evidence of wildfires in Gondwana forests ~250 million years ago
- Period
- Permian
- Methods
- Palynofacies analysis + Raman spectroscopy + FTIR spectroscopy
- Distinguishes
- OX-CH (oxidised) vs PAL-CH (fire-induced) opaque phytoclasts
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Which institute's researchers found molecular evidence of ancient Gondwana wildfires preserved in coal, as reported in May 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences
Researchers from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), an autonomous institute of DST, carried out the study.
Consider the following statements about the BSIP palaeofire study (May 2026): 1. It found evidence of wildfires in Gondwana forests nearly 250 million years ago. 2. It combined palynofacies analysis with Raman and FTIR spectroscopy. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
The study used palynofacies analysis with Raman and FTIR spectroscopy and found evidence of wildfires in Gondwana forests nearly 250 million years ago.