Dr. George Chelnokov | Geochemistry | Best Researcher Award
Сhief Researcher, Geological Institute Russian Academy of Sciences; Russia
Dr. George Alekseevich Chelnokov is a distinguished hydrogeologist and geochemist, currently serving as a Leading Researcher at the Heat and Mass Transfer Laboratory, Geological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow. With over two decades of expertise in hydrogeology, geochemistry, and thermal fluid systems, he has made significant contributions to the study of mineral and thermal waters across Russia and internationally. His research delves into the genesis, geochemical behavior, and isotopic composition of hydrothermal systems, including volcanic and geothermal zones. Dr. Chelnokov has served in various research roles, including as Head of Laboratory at the Far East Geological Institute and as a postdoctoral researcher in Mexico. He is a seasoned scientific project leader, academic mentor, and published author, contributing extensively to collaborative studies with the Russian Science Foundation. His dedication to geological sciences has earned him notable awards and recognition within both Russian and global scientific communities.
Profile
Education
Dr. Chelnokov holds a Ph.D. in Hydrogeology from the State Polytechnic University of Tomsk, awarded in 2005 for his thesis on high pCO₂ mineral waters in the Sikhote-Alin region. He completed postdoctoral research at the Institute of Geophysics, UNAM (Mexico) in 2009, where he developed hydrogeological models for the El Chichon volcano. His advanced training includes a six-month course at the United Nations University Geothermal Training Programme in Iceland (2004). His academic foundation was laid at Far East State Technical University, Vladivostok, where he earned both his Bachelor (1998) and Master (2000) degrees in Geology. His postgraduate training at the Far East Geological Institute (2000–2003) focused on mineral water geochemistry. His educational trajectory combines solid theoretical knowledge with rigorous practical experience, particularly in the areas of geothermal systems, water-rock interaction, and the geological mapping of hydrogeochemical phenomena in volcanic and tectonically active terrains.
Experience
Dr. Chelnokov has built a robust career in geological sciences, beginning as a lab assistant (1997–2000) and advancing to Scientific Researcher (2000–2006) at the Far East Geological Institute. From 2006–2015, he served as Senior Scientific Researcher in the Hydrogeochemistry of Supergene Processes Laboratory, later becoming Head of that unit (2015–2020). Since 2020, he has been a Leading Researcher at the Geological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow. Simultaneously, he worked for two decades (2000–2020) as Principal Hydrogeologist at Mineral Waters Ltd., gaining industry-level experience. Dr. Chelnokov has participated in and led numerous research projects funded by RFBR and RSF, focusing on hydrogeological systems, thermal waters, rare earth geochemistry, and environmental contamination. He also taught hydrogeology at the Far East Federal University and supervised graduate theses. His deep integration in academia, research, and applied hydrogeology reflects a career dedicated to scientific advancement and practical application.
Awards and Honors
Dr. George Chelnokov has received multiple prestigious awards recognizing his scientific excellence. In 2001, he was honored with the Grant of the Governors of the Primorye Region. He earned a United Nations University geothermal research grant in 2004 and the same year became a laureate of the Far East Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Young Scientists Prize. In 2007, he received the esteemed Academician Y.A. Kosygin Prize. His international collaboration and long-standing commitment to hydrogeochemistry were acknowledged in 2019 when he was named a “Friend of Water-Rock Interaction Symposia” by the IAGC WRI Working Group. These honors reflect his impactful research in geofluids, water-rock interactions, and thermal systems. Throughout his career, his scientific leadership and contributions to fundamental and applied geoscience research have been consistently recognized by academic institutions and international organizations.
Research Focus
Dr. Chelnokov’s research is centered on the hydrogeology and geochemistry of thermal and low-temperature fluids. His work investigates the chemical and isotopic composition of mineral and volcanic waters, geofluid circulation systems, and water-rock interaction processes. He has led and participated in numerous projects on the genesis of brines, geochemical mapping of geothermal systems, and rare earth element fractionation in groundwater. Notably, his research has addressed tectonic signals in hydrogeochemical records, nitrogen-rich thermal springs, and tungsten geochemical cycles. He has also contributed to studies on the geofluid evolution in mud volcanic systems and the fluid dynamics in folded belts across Eurasia. His work is funded by major institutions like the Russian Science Foundation and the Russian Foundation for Basic Research. Combining field studies, analytical chemistry, and modeling, Dr. Chelnokov’s interdisciplinary approach aims to understand geodynamic environments, resource potential, and environmental impacts of subsurface fluid systems.
Publications
1. Isotope–Hydrogeochemical Features of the Thermomineral Waters of the Issyk-Kul Artesian Basin
2. Using iron speciation to track hydrocarbon migration in bleached rocks and its implications for reservoir reconstruction
3. Trace Elements in Thermal Waters of the Northern Tien Shan: Distribution and Fate
4. Geochemistry of nitric thermal springs from Khoja-Obi-Garm thermal area (Pamir-Tien Shan region)
5. Preliminary studies on radon concentration in CO2-rich mineral waters of the Elbrus area (Caucasus, Russia)
Conclusion
Dr. George Chelnokov is a renowned geoscientist whose extensive contributions to hydrogeology, thermal water geochemistry, and fluid system modeling have significantly advanced both theoretical understanding and practical applications in Earth sciences, and he continues to lead impactful research at the Geological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences.