HOLOCENE PALEOENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES IN THE LOWER MAHI BASIN, WESTERN INDIA

Evidence of paleoenvironmental changes during the Holocene from the Lo wer Mahi basin of Western India have been documented. The unpaired S-2 surface all along the estuarine zone of the Mahi basin has been ident ified as an uplifted marine terrace. The terraces have preserved in th eir lithosections fairly distinct horizons of grayish brown clays rich in marina microfauna. The intervening silty-sand horizons are indicat ive of freshwater origin. The sedimentary structure and faunal assembl age indicate that these units have been deposited in a marginal marine environment. The C-14 ages obtained on these marina mud horizons show that between 3600 and 1700 BP the sea level was higher than at presen t. The geomorphic evidence suggests that a late Holocene uplift has pl ayed a significant role in lowering the relative sea level to its pres ent position.