Characterization of Loma Venturilla pegmatites using nuclear techniques

Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and gamma spectrometric analysis (GSA) were used for the determination of twenty-one elements in pegmatites of Loma Venturilla area, in Central Cuba. The applications of both methods allowed the determination of K, Co, Cr, Sc, Rb, Cs, Ba, Ta, Hf, Th, U, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Ho, Tm, Yb and Lu. The results were obtained with good precision and accuracy. The knowledge of such concentrations is particularly useful for geochemical investigations. The obtained concentration values can be used in studies on the petrogenesis of those rocks. The results facilitate the evaluation and estimation of the main process involved in the generation and differentiation of the melts from which the pegmatites were formed. (author)