Rocks and minerals contain natural radioactive components that decay at a specific and constant rate. As a result, the composition of the source materials changes over time. This mechanism is the basis of geochronology. Geoscientists use isotope chemistry and geochronology studies on rocks and minerals to clarify various petrogenetic and geological questions.

In the inorganic geochemistry laboratories, environmental and mineral resource samples are analyzed using state-of-the-art wet chemical and spectrometric methods to determine their inorganic chemical composition, ranging from major elements to ultra-trace elements. In addition to conducting its own research on geochemical topics, the laboratory functions as service analysis unit, providing geochemical analyses and expertise for core budget and third-party funded projects, including those in the fields of mineral resources, groundwater, soil, final disposal, and international geoscientific cooperation.

Hydrochemical analyses are used to investigate and quantify the concentrations of geogenic and anthropogenic constituents in groundwater and surface water. The aim of these analyses is to gain a better understanding of groundwater quality, which is an important prerequisite for the protection of groundwater resources.

The Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) employs a suite of advanced 2D-scanning techniques for the characterization of rocks and other geo-logical materials within the department of mineral resources.

In BGR’s soil physics laboratories, key soil properties related to water transport and the movement of substances within the soil are determined. In addition, soil column experiments are used to investigate transport processes in naturally layered (structured) soils. In addition to its own research on soil physics, the laboratory serves as a support unit, contributing measurements and expertise to core budget and third-party funded projects, including those in the fields of soil, groundwater and international geoscientific cooperation.

One focus of research and development work in this area is the analysis and interpretation of natural or anthropogenically induced emissions of geogenic gases at the soil/atmosphere interface and the occurrence of dissolved gases in groundwater.

Geomicrobiology investigates the relationships between microorganisms and geological-geochemical processes, e.g. the weathering of rocks. The interaction of microorganisms with minerals and fossil energy resources can be used geobiotechnically for the extraction and refinement of raw materials as well as for the treatment of environmental damage.

Rock mechanical tests in the laboratory offer the advantage that the properties of rocks and their development can be tested under easily controllable conditions. With its modern equipment, BGR can simulate the entire spectrum of possible in-situ effects – for example: Static load - uniaxial, triaxial or true-triaxial, temperature, pore pressure, hydraulic action, short-term and long-term tests. Tests are carried out on different types of rock such as salt rock, salt backfill, clay and mudstone, crystalline rock.

Many research questions in the fields of natural resources, disposal of radioactive waste and utilization of the deep subsurface are influenced by geochemical gas-fluid-rock reactions and changes in petrophysical properties in connection with fluid transport processes. Therefore, these are investigated in experimental laboratories of the BGR under the high pressures and temperatures prevailing in the subsurface.

The stable isotopes of water and its constituents are determined in the laboratory of isotope hydrology. Of particular interest are the stable isotopes of the elements hydrogen (H), oxygen (O), carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S), as these are used to trace the water molecule and other important substances (such as pollutants, impurities and natural components).

Quantitative micro-analytical methods help to solve many scientific problems, especially in the fields of ore deposit research, mineralogy/petrology and mineral residues. Specifically, these relate to the mineralogy and mineral chemistry of rocks and ores (main and trace element concentrations and distributions at high spatial resolution), the fluid temperature and fluid chemistry of hydrothermal systems, the resource potential of mineralised rock bodies with a special focus on trace elements (high-technology metals) and the genesis of ore deposits.

The Organic Geochemistry and Petrology investigates sedimentary biogeochemical processes, as well as the distribution, composition and thermal maturity of organic residues of plants, algae and microorganisms in the Earth's crust.