THE PROBLEM SCIENTIFIC AND RESEARCH LABORATORY OF GEOGRAPHY AND SOIL CONSERVATION OF THE BLACK SOIL ZONE OF ODESSA NATIONAL UNIVERSITY (PSCL‑4 ONU) CELEBRATES50TH ANNIVERSARY!

Problem Statement and Purpose. The problem scientific and research laboratory of geography and soil conservation of the black soil zone (PSCL‑4 ONU) was opened at the Geology and Geography Faculty of Odessa University half a century ago, in 1971. The main task of the research laboratory resided in conducting soil researches in the steppe zone of the south of Ukraine in connection with the commencement of irrigation programs there, soil and land mapping to streamline their use. The aimof this article is to highlight the major milestones of the half-century history of the research laboratory, as well as outline achievements and research activities during this period.Data & Methods. Documents and materials on the history of formation and development of the PSCL‑4, documents and materials on the research activitiesduring 50 years, as well as the other author’s  publications from the previous years. To highlight the half-century history of the PSCL a classic geographical and historical-and-research approaches has been applied, which combines the principlesof historical and analytical assessment of both: historical milestones and obtained achievements.Results. Starting from 1971 the soil sciences expedition of the PSCL4 conducted a large-scale(1:10000 and 1:25000) survey and mapping of soils of collective and state farms in the south of Ukraine, Russian Federation, North and Central Kazakhstanin the area of more than 6 mln. ha. PSCL4 staff has been studying the impact of waters of different irrigational quality on the chemical composition of the southern Ukrainian soils, as well as properties and productivity of these soils. There has beenestablished genetic nature and negative direction of a number of processes in the black soil under irrigation, there also have been justified and introduced into practice different measures to protect and increase fertility of soils under irrigation and drainage. In 2003 there have been commenced research and mapping of soils and soil cover on Zmiiny island. The studies of modern landscapes and soil-geochemical environments and processes on the estuary coasts in the Northwestern part of theBlack Sea region as well as city`s soil, are considered additionally in the research within recent years. Bearing in mind problems and topics the PSCL4 addressed during its long-term scientific and research activities there has been developed ascientific school – “Soil Formation Processes in Black Soils of the Steppe Zone.” Over half a century the department schooled 14 candidates and 3 doctors of sciences, published more books, scientific articles, scientific and practical  recommendations, and training manuals.