A prominent representative of the Dnipropetrovsk Hydrobiological School of technologically transformed freshwater ecosystems G. B. Melnykov. Pages of Personal Hystory and New Biography Documents

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15421/271914

Abstract

In our article we consider professor G. B. Melnykov life and proffesional work main events, who is the prominent representative of Dnipropetrovsk hydrobiological school of technogenically transformed freshwater ecosystems. G. B. Melnykov was one of the first graduate students of the founder of Dnipropetrovsk Hydrobiological School prof. D.O. Svirenko.

For the first time in national science, an assessment of the hydroecological consequences of the construction of the Dnipro. River was carried out on the basis on the large amount of data obtained during the expeditions of 1927-1935. It was prepared a full description of the physico-chemical and biological characteristics of the water ecosystems of the former rapids part of the Dnipro, the ecosystem of the newly created reservoir transformed into the new ecosystem – Dniprovskyi reservoir. Besides, it was shown the negative influence of this construction on the natural environment.

G. B. Melnykov specialized in the study of zooplankton of the rapids part of the Dnieper River and the newly created the Dnipro reservoir; he established that zooplankton has undergone significant changes. Due to the wide material coverage, the depth of its research and the practical significance of the conclusions, prof. G. B. Melnykov's science works remain the fundamental base of research for hydrobiologists up to the present time. These extensive research works of professor Melnykov made a significant contribution to the formation of the doctrine of technogenic transformation of freshwater ecosystems.

His teaching activities took place in close connection with his scientific work. Even as a graduate student, Georgy Borysovych began teaching at the Dnipropetrovsk Workers' University, then he continued teaching at the Higher Communist Agricultural School. Since 1951 he began his work as the Rector of Dnipropetrovsk State University. During these years the Faculty of Physics and Technology was established which became “a forge” for training personnel in the field of space technology and rocket production.

G. B. Melnykov supported the formation of a new faculty in every way and he exactly began to conduct scientific work connected with research in space. The scientist clearly understood the trends of the development of science on the time the Space exploration, that is why G. B. Melnykov became the initiator and the actual founder of a fundamentally new direction in hydrobiological science – space hydrobiology. In 1961, he initiated the creation of the first Ukrainian Laboratory of Space Hydrobiology at Dnipropetrovsk University. In the article we emphasize the role of G. B. Melnykov in the process of establishing a new direction of hydrobiological science – space hydrobiology.

Professor G. B. Melnykov wrote about 200 scientific works. He has educated more than 30 candidates of science (Ph.D.). Besides, he has been a scientific consultant for many doctoral dissertations. He was awarded with the Order of the Red Banner of Labor, the Order of Honor, three medals; professor Melnicov was awarded the honorary title «Honored Scientist of the USSR». During his scientific work prof. G. B. Melnykov was an Honorary Member of the All-Soviet Union Hydrobiological Society, a member of the ichthyological committee of the USSR, a member of the Hydrobiological Journal editorship.

Published

2021-03-03