Parga Pondal, the seminary of Galician studies and the laboratory of geochemistry, university of Santiago

Abstract

Isidro Parga Pondal was one of the most important scientists who worked in the University of Santiago. His value as researcher has made that this institution, the Seminary of Galician Studies and the National Foundation for Scientifics Researchers and Trials of Reforms subsidized the establishment of the first laboratory of Geochemistry founded in Spain, which was directed by Parga. This laboratory made significant researches, a lot of them designed to search for practice applications that allowed the establishment of new industries in Galicia. This paper explains the origin of this laboratory, its characteristics, the activities which carried out and the investigations not ended because of the Parga’s expulsion of the University at the beginning of the Civil War.