The 100^th anniversary of Pavel Ivanovich Melnikov

Pavel Ivanovich Melnikov was born on the 19th of June 1908 in Leningrad. His childhood and adolescence was very hard. He lost his parents at an early age; his aunt educated him till the age of eight years old. In 1916 P.I. Melnikov was sent to an orphanage, then to a children’s home where he finished school. In 1924 he entered Leningrad Naval Academy named after M.V. Frunze. Having finished general courses in the Academy he worked in “Krasny vyborzhets” and “Kransy treugolnik” factories in Leningrad from 1927 to 1930. In 1929 he joined the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks).

In 1930 P.I. Melnikov entered Leningrad Institute of Mines named after G.V. Plekhanov. From that time the words “for the first time” and “the first” became the principal refrain of his life. Together with N.A. Marinov, E.V. Posokhov, V.A. Kudryavthev and other later on famous scientists of the USSR Melnikov became a student of recently organized Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology Chair. Professor Pavel Ilych Butov, a researcher extremely keen on hydrogeology, founded this Chair and headed it from 1930 to 1938. Apart from P.I. Butov prominent Russian hydrogeologists N.F. Pogrebov and N.N. Slavyanov were invited to work at the Chair, as well as young and talented researchers N.I. Tolstikhin, D.I. Shchegolev, G.I. Smolko and others. The teaching staff of the Chair certainly stimulated students’ interest towards profession and thorough scientific research.
From the first academic years P.I. Melnikov took a great interest in permafrost study owing to the lectures of N.F. Pogrebov and N.I. Tolstikhin and to the optional courses in geocryology given by Moscow scientists M.I. Sumgin, N.A. Tsytovich and V.V. Okhotin. P.I. Melnikov had a practical training course in Eastern Siberia and in the Far East in the field crews created by the Committee for Permafrost Study under USSR Academy of Sciences. Practical training revealed his research and managerial abilities. Being a student he was appointed a foreman and a deputy head of permafrost and hydrogeology crew. He participated in scientific and technical reporting and in writing sketches on peculiar features of permafrost and hydrogeological conditions of the Bryanta River valley and other sections of Baikal-Amur Mainline Railway designed at that time.

After graduation from the Institute of Mines in 1935 and getting a diploma of hydrogeologist P.I. Melnikov was invited to Moscow to the Committee of Permafrost Study under USSR Academy of Sciences. The Committee sent this young and energetic engineer possessing some experience of research study and management in the domain of permafrost to the Mines and Geology Department of GLAVSEVMORPUT (Northern Sea Route General Office). P.I. Melnikov was recommended to head Igarka Permafrost Station. It was a sign of high confidence for a 27-year-old specialist and P.I. Melnikov managed to justify it with brilliance. Under management and with direct participation of Pavel Ivanovich the Station carried out studies of permafrost, engineering-geological and hydrogeological conditions of Igarka town area. Material and technical basis of the station as well as personnel staff was improved. In fact the first world underground research laboratory was created. This research laboratory was aimed at studies under permanent negative temperatures during the year.

In October 1938 P.I. Melnikov was called to Moscow to work as researcher in Permafrost Committee of USSR Academy of Sciences. One year later the Committee was reorganized into Geocryology Institute named after V.A. Obruchev. In 1939 Pavel Melnikov made his first trip to Yakutsk being a member of multidiscipline expedition organized by the Council of Productive Forces Study. From then on all his life was inseparably linked with Yakutia.

In 1940 P.I. Melnikov was sent on a mission from Moscow to Yakutsk to head the Expedition of Geocryology Institute. The tasks of the expedition were to study permafrost hydrogeological and engineering-geological conditions for building construction in central districts of Yakutia, to study subsurface ice and frazil and to test the first probe hole for intrapermafrost waters in Yakutsk. Successful drilling and testing of this hole started a new era in studying permafrost hydrogeological conditions in the republic and in using intrapermafrost waters for water supply purpose.

In 1941 the USSR Council of People’s Commissars took a decision to set up Yakutsk Permafrost Research Station (YPRS) on the basis of the Expedition. P.I. Melnikov was appointed the chief of the research station. This appointment helped uncovering P. Melnikov’s talent of a researcher and a manager. Thanks to his personal energy, persistence and enthusiasm within a short period time YPRS took a leading position among research centres of Yakutsk city and the republic. In 1942 the first subsurface research laboratory for frozen ground study and testing was opened in Yakutia. During severe war years the staff of the station carried out studies on the most important economic problems of the city and the republic including development and application of rational and efficient methods of sustainable construction of buildings, installations, water-supply lines and ice storage facilities in permafrost conditions. In 1943-44 YPRS jointly with Yakutsk geological exploration company drilled the first production well for intrapermafrost waters for the purpose of water supply of Yakutsk city. Among the other researchers P.I. Melnikov was awarded a prize for discovery of Yakutsk artesian basin.

Undoubtedly, essential results favoured growth of authority of the Station and the Manager. In 1942-1947 P.I. Melnikov was elected a member of Territorial Expert Council under State Planning Committee of Yakutia, a member of Permanent Academic Council under Yakutia Council of People’s Commissars, a member of Academic Council of Yakutsk Research Base of USSR Academy of Sciences. He was awarded a Red Star Order (1945), a Medal “For valorous labour during Great Patriotic War 1941-1945" (1946) and the Order “Badge of Honour” (1947).

In 1947 in Moscow Pavel Ivanovich has successfully defended Ph.D. thesis on permafrost and geological conditions of civil and industrial construction in the territory of Central Yakutia based on data of experimental construction in Yakutsk area. This work was highly estimated by many of the leading Russian scientists including academician V.A. Obruchev, USSR Academy of Sciences Corresponding Member N.A. Tsytovich and others. The thesis was awarded a special prize of USSR Academy of Sciences Presidium.

At the same time P.I. Melnikov jointly with N.A. Tsytovich, N.I. Saltykov and V.F. Zhukov summarized the first experience of construction and operation of a big industrial installation – Yakutsk Central Power Plant - erected on the principle of permafrost preservation. The researchers wrote a monograph “Power plant basements on permafrost” (1947) which was the first manual for engineering, construction and operation of similar installations in the area of permafrost rocks.

In 1951 the USSR Academy of Sciences Publishing House released Melnikov’s monograph “Permafrost and geological conditions of civil and industrial construction in the territory of Central Yakutia and construction experience”. The book based on his Ph.D. thesis was substantially supplemented with new research data and theoretical evidence. Academician V.A. Obruchev mentioned in the preface: “P.I. Melnikov’s research results confirmed a number of theoretical assumptions earlier based on exceptionally general arguments and stimulated consideration of innovative construction methods based on process dynamics and lithological structure of permafrost section”. P.I. Melnikov gave detailed description of basic principles, methods of buildings engineering and construction in permafrost conditions of Yakutia. He analysed buildings operation experience and proposed the ways of elimination of buildings’ deficiencies.

After defending the thesis P.I. Melnikov put much of his force and energy into development of research activity at the station and into organization issues. He reinforced the material and technical basis of the station. He initiated permafrost investigations in mining areas of western, southern and eastern Yakutia, which were important from the point of view of national economy. In spite of being busy he managed to carry out his proper research activity and to make theoretical justification of his scientific ideas. Thus, in 1952 he published an article on “Dynamics of permafrost ground under buildings and calculation for basements in low temperature conditions in Central Yatukia” in the book “Permafrost study in the Republic of Yakutia”. He was the first to give reasoned justification of advantages to use concrete pile basements by the method of steam deepening. Combination of pile basements and vented cellars proved efficiency. Soon this construction practice was widely used in the north. In 1953 P.I. Melnikov jointly with A.I. Efimov summarized the results of longstanding research work in the domain of infrapermafrost water use for water supply purpose in the book “Underground water use in permafrost conditions of Central Yakutia”.

In 1952 P.I. Melnikov was conferred a title of Honorary Man of Science of Yakutia for the important personal contribution and for contribution of his research staff into permafrost study in Yakutia and for application of scientific achievements to production. In the same year he was awarded the Order of Red Banner of Labour and one year after – a medal “For Labour Valour”.

The scientific authority and the range of Station’s research work were growing in many respects thanks to the efforts and enthusiasm of its leader. In 1956 it was decided to re-organise Yakutsk Permafrost Research Station into North-East Branch of USSR Academy of Sciences Permafrost Institute named after V.A. Obruchev. P.I. Melnikov was appointed Director of this branch.

Creation of Siberian branch of USSR Academy of Science in 1957 made possible reorganization of North-East Branch of USSR Academy of Sciences Permafrost Institute named after V.A. Obruchev into an independent scientific research institute. This reorganisation was called forth by considerable increase of research activity in the end of the 50’s and in the beginning of the 60’s due to rapid development of diamond mining, gas production, construction industry, agriculture and other branches. In 1958 the Bureau of Yakutsk regional committee of CPSU applied to the Presidium of Siberian branch of USSR Academy of Sciences with the request to create an independent scientific research institute on the basis of the existing Yakutsk branch. Thus, in 1960 Permafrost Institute of Siberian branch of USSR Academy of Sciences was created. The new institute united Igarka, Aldan and Anadyr permafrost stations. Presidium of Siberian branch of USSR Academy of Sciences appointed P.I. Melnikov the Director of the institute.

Within the next 28 years P.I. Melnikov had been a permanent leader of the Institute. In 1963 the Institute became the only academic and research organisation in the USSR of the kind after dissolution of Permafrost Institute named after V.A. Obruchev in Moscow. At that period P.I. Melnikov managed to make much as a researcher and a manager as if he received a compensation for hard childhood and adolescence from the fate favouring realisation of all his research and organisation plans, aspirations and ideas.

Taking into account the totality of published articles presented in the report “Resume of geocryological, hydrogeological and engineering geological studies in Central and Southern Yakutia” P.I. Melnikov was conferred Doctor’s degree in geology and mineralogy in 1964. In 1966 he completed mapping of geothermal observations and presented the first geocryological map of Yakutia in the scale 1:5 000 000. The map was awarded a gold medal of the Exhibition of Economic Achievements. It was included as supplement into the XXth volume of the book “Hydrogeology of the USSR” (1970). In 1968 jointly with K.F. Voitkovsky, G.V. Porkhaev, I.N. Votyakov and other researchers P.I. Melnikov published a book “Basements in frozen ground in Yakutia”. This work generalized the experience of engineering, construction and operation of basements in frozen ground. It described the main principles of calculation applied for basements on natural and artificial bedding and analysed further development of basement construction in permafrost areas.

In 1968 P.I. Melnikov was elected a corresponding member of the USSR Academy of Sciences in the domain of the Earth science. It was a high-level recognition of his personal research results and the Institute activity. From 1968 P.I. Melnikov was spending more time and energy for research organisation. He initiated considerable extension of research topics covered by the Institute and creation of new research laboratories and regional branches in Yakutia and outside. In order to co-ordinate geocryological studies in the country P.I. Melnikov insisted on opening of Scientific Council on Earth Cryology in Moscow in the framework of the USSR Academy of Sciences in 1970. He was the permanent Chairman of the Council to his dying day. He was also elected a member of the Bureau of the Department of oceanology, meteorology and geography of the USSR Academy of Sciences (1971), a member of the Scientific Council in charge of Baikal-Amur Mainline problems (1975) and other scientific councils.

P.I. Melnikov took active part in organisation of the Second International Permafrost Conference in 1973 in Yakutsk. He was the Chairman of this big international forum of permafrost researchers organised in the USSR for the first time. Successful holding of this conference favoured growth of international authority of Yakutsk geocryological scientific school, extension of scientific contacts with foreign colleagues and further joint research work.

In 1981 P.I. Melnikov was elected full member of the USSR Academy of Sciences per the Department of oceanology, meteorology and geography. From that time he was in charge of a larger volume of scientific and organizing work. In 1983 Specialized Doctor’s Council was created at the Institute upon the initiative of P.I. Melnikov. Its scope of activity included defending thesis in the domain of geology, mineralogy, technical and geographical sciences. P.I. Melnikov was appointed Chairman of this Council. In the same year he was elected President of newly organised International Permafrost Association. Holding the post of the President for the determined period of 5 years Pavel Ivanovich made big efforts for co-ordination of geocryological investigations carried out in different countries of the world, organization of international scientific conferences and symposia on permafrost issues. Nevertheless, his principal activity was managing the Institute. P.I. Melnikov continued the work on extension of the network of regional branches of the Institute. In particular, Chita branch was created in 1986. An issue on setting up North East branch in Magadan was under consideration. P.I. Melnikov was initiator and main editor of many major scientific projects performed by the Institute staff (monographs, collections of articles, maps, manuals and other).

P.I. Melnikov undoubtedly possessed a special talent to foresee the ways of science development, to choose research priorities, to select research staff and branch leaders. Pavel Ivanovich permanently worked on reinforcing the material and technical basis of the Institute. At the same time his aim was not only to supply the laboratories with standard equipment, but also he encouraged and assisted in engineering of unique equipment for geocryological studies in laboratory and field conditions. For instance, in 1967, upon Melnikov’s initiative, the second underground scientific laboratory was created. Its main difference from the first one was not only in size and location close to the main building of the Institute; the laboratory was specific in construction. It consisted of two galleries with a vertical pit for large quantity rock samples and heavy scientific equipment running down and uplifting. Since many years the laboratory has been used for experiments. It is also a point of interest for researchers from other institutes and for common visitors.

P.I. Melnikov always placed high emphasis on improvement of working and social conditions of the employees. Residential microdistrict of the Institute was better attended, more clean and developed compared with the other districts of Yakutsk during 28 years when P.I. Melnikov headed the Institute. Thanks to his efforts and persistence public financing was allocated for construction of the Institute main building, four residential houses, boiler-house, kindergarten, garages and other facilities. Institute employees and all Yakutsk people are particularly proud of a fountain in the shape of a mammoth. It is installed in the park in front of the entrance into the main building of the Institute. This idea belonged to P.I. Melnikov. Upon his request a talented painter and researcher L.G. Adonin put this idea into practice in 1972.

Besides scientific and administration activity P.I. Melnikov was engaged into public activities. More than once he was elected a member of Yakutia regional committee of CPSU, he was a Deputy of Yakutia Supreme Soviet of several convocations, for many years he headed Yakutia society “Znanije”. P.I. Melnikov was in permanent contact with Yakutia State University. He initiated and supported opening of the Permafrost Study Chair at the Department of Geology in 1978. For several years P.I. Melnikov was the Chairman of the State examining Board at the Department of Geology.

His many-sided and effective activity on the post of Institute Director was highly appreciated by the state. In 1969 he was conferred a title of RSFSR Honorary Man in the domain of Science and Technology. In 1975 he was awarded the second Order of Red Banner of Labour, in 1978 – Lenin’s Order. In 1984 P.I. Melnikov received a title of the Hero of Socialist Labour.

In 1988 P.I. Melnikov became honorary director of Permafrost Institute of Siberian branch of USSR Academy of Sciences and he moved to Moscow. Nevertheless Pavel Ivanovich kept close contacts with research staff and new management of the institute. He continued active research and management activity being a Chairman of Scientific Council on Earth Cryology in Russian Academy of Sciences, a scientific adviser and co-ordinator of several big federal and international research programmes, a Chairman of the national Committee on Geocryology, a member of several scientific and expert boards. It seemed that the time was powerless in front of this strong-willed, goal seeking and capable of life person.

Death broke off his life fast and easy in a way common for most brilliant personalities managed to realize themselves completely or in most respects. Death of such people is a relative notion, as though they keep on living in their creations. Undoubtedly Pavel Ivanovich belonged to this category of personalities. As a proof, in 1995 Permafrost Institute of Siberian branch of USSR Academy of Sciences was named after Academician P.I. Melnikov.