The explorative studies on mineral reserves have been taken into consideration in our country since long time ago. Due to the importance of these studies and abundance of minerals in Iran, the establishment of such modern laboratories with more experienced experts seems to be of great importance.
Geochemistry laboratories of Applied Geological Research Center of Karaj was established in the year, 1386 by the order of the honorable director of  Geological Survey of Iran and efforts of some experts to achieve different scientific goals such as analysis of minerals and elements required for geochemistry and mineralization sheets. Studies on different projects planned by organizations and universities, analysis of thousand samples of exploration projects and qualitative &quantitative optimization of analysis techniques are of the most important purposes of geochemistry laboratories. The related information of these laboratories is available on laboratory introduction section in detail. 

Laboratory Unit of Applied Research Center Includes Preparation and Geochemistry Units
Preparation Unit:
There are 9 preparation laboratories on this unit of geochemistry laboratories of Geological Survey of Iran:
1- Sample Preparation Laboratory for Crushing Samples
This laboratory features Jaw Crusher, Roller Mill, Disc Pulverizer, Classifiers, XRF Press and Graphic Electrodes. In this laboratory, Crushing and grinding stones to about 200 meshes, Pressing and preparation of spectrograph electrodes is performed.

2- ICP Preparation Laboratory:
Main activities of ICP Preparation Laboratory:
- Weighting solid samples (o.25- 1 gr.)
- Acidic fusion with 4 different acids of  HF, HClO4, HNO3, HCl
- Preparation of required standards for instrument
- Making the volume up & homogenization of 50cc sample  in a volumetric flask
- Sample filtration

Laboratory Instruments:
- 4 Qerhard HotPlates
- 2 Binder Ovens
- 4 Laboratory Hoods

3- AAS Preparation Laboratory
AAS Preparation Methods:
1- Emission Fusion
Weighting 0.5 grams of sample & acidic digestion with HCl, HNO3
2- Acidic Fusion
Weighting 0.5 grams of sample & acidic digestion with HCl, HNO3 in an ultrasonic bath
3- Digestion (4 Acids)
Weighting 1 gram of sample & acidic digestion with HF, HClO4, HNO3, HCl in a Teflon crucibles
4- Acidic Digestion for Au analysis
Weighting 1 gram of sample & acidic digestion with HNO3¬, H2SO¬4
5- Acidic Digestion
Weighting 0.7 grams of sample, acidic digestion with HNO3, HCl, and addition of % 30 ammonia

Laboratory Instruments:
Heater, hood, vessels such as test tubes, flask, volumetric flask, pipette and etc 

4- Emission Spectrograph (ES) Preparation Laboratory
- Weighting 0.03 grams of sample
- Homogenizing with 0.03 grams buffer
- Loading on graphic electrode
- Electric arc for capturing emission spectra
- Read out of spectra lines by micro photometers    

Laboratory Instruments:
Flask, agate pestle, electrographic, alcohol and chemicals for preparation of internal standards

5- Au Preparation Laboratory
- Weighting 10 grams of sample
- Heating on furnace
- Aqua regia digestion (solution (HNO¬¬¬3, HCl) 3:1)
- Passing sample on an active carbon column for gold absorption
- Burning active carbon phase
- loading the remained ashes of previous step on a graphic furnace to record emission spectra

Laboratory Instruments:
Crucible, flask, heater, hood, furnace, refining shelf, filtration tubes, filter paper

6- W, Mo Polarograph Preparation Laboratory
- Weighting 0.25 grams of sample
- Basic fusion with KoH, NaOH
- Neutralization with Sulfuric Acid
- Addition of Mandelic Acid and Cyconino Sodium Clorate
- Instrumental Read out

Laboratory Instruments:
1- Furnace, Au crucible, Sanler tube, Phenolphthalein indicator, chemicals (acids, bases, etc), shelf

7- Weighting Unit of Laboratories
Main Activities of Weighting Unit of Laboratories:
- Weighting of 200 mesh samples
- Weighting for ICP unit (0.25gr – 1gr)
- Weighting for Au unit(10 gr)
- Weighting for AAS unit (0.7gr – 1gr)
- Weighting for AF unit (0.2 gr)
- Weighting for Polarograph unit (0.25 gr)
- Weighting for ES (0.03gr)
- Chemicals weighting  
- Classification, numbering and holding samples during analysis process

Laboratory Instruments:
1) 5 Digital balances
2) 3 Sdrtoius with precision 0.0000
3) 1 Ohaus with precision 0.0000
4) 1 AND with  precision 0.00

8- Distilling Water & Electronic Furnaces Unit
Main Activities:
- Preparation of distilled water for center laboratories
- Preparation using electronic furnaces including heating, burning samples, fusion

Laboratory Instruments:
- 10, 40 liters electronic furnaces with different capabilities such as temperature control, temperature gradient and timing 6 instruments
- 2 Twice GFL Distilling water system ( 4 liter/hour)
- 2 Di ionize distilling water system
- 1 GFL Distilling water system ( 8 liter/hour)
- Special columns for distilling water systems

9- Atomic Fluorescence Preparation Laboratory

Geochemistry Unit: These laboratories feature Emission Spectrograph, Atomic Absorption (VGA, GTA, and Flame), Atomic Fluorescence, Flame Photometer, Polarograph, ICP-OES, and X-Ray Fluorescence which are used for preparation of geochemical and mineralized sheets.

There are 7 different laboratories in geochemical laboratories sector of this center which includes:
1. ICP-OES laboratory
The main purposes of ICP-OES laboratory is to simultaneous analysis of Trace and Major elements, analysis of more than 300 samples per day and analysis of 70000 samples per year with high precision & accuracy   as well as establishment of a reference laboratory in Iran and across Middle East. In addition, this laboratory has ability to analysis more than 40 elements of water, soil & plant samples with high detection limit.   

2. AAS Laboratory
AAS laboratory has ability to analyze different metal elements in geological samples and in the future, intends to analyze them in all matrixes such as alloys, food stuffs, agricultural and archeological samples, waters, etc. by applying modern laboratory instruments. Models Varian AA240 and AA240FS Atomic Absorption Spectrometers used in this laboratory are one of most unique instrumental techniques has advantages offering high precision, accuracy and speed in the world.       

3. Polarograph Laboratory
Polarograph laboratory is one of the geochemistry laboratories of Research Center of Geological Survey of Iran. Main activity of this laboratory is analysis of metal elements in geochemical and mineralized samples, principally, analysis of elements such as Tungsten (w) and Molybdenum (Mo). 
Although this technique can be used to measure most elements, due to the highly analysis cost and time consuming, only elements such as W and Mo can be measured in this laboratory.

4. X-ray Fluorescence Laboratory
X-ray Fluorescence Laboratory has Philips Model MiniPal XRF which is used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of major and trace elements in geochemical and mineralized samples.
The purpose of this laboratory center is to qualitative and quantitative analysis of geochemical and mineralized samples and consists of preparation and instrumental units. In preparation unit, 200 mesh samples in a solution of boric acid and under pressure are pressed to pellets and then, are analyzed.

5. Flame Photometer Laboratory
In this laboratory center, there are Model Jenway Flame Photometers which are used for quantitative analysis of elements such as K, Na, and Li with a detection limit of 0.5 ppm.
Note that 120 samples are analyzed per each day and each sample is prepared for 4 hours using flame photometer.

6. Emission Spectrograph Laboratory
Emission Spectrograph Laboratory has Emission Spectrograph and Micro photometer have advantages including needs for lower sample and 15 elemental analysis. Main activity of this laboratory is qualitative analysis of gold in geochemical and mineralized samples.

7. Atomic Fluorescence Laboratory
The main purpose of Atomic Fluorescence Laboratory is to qualitative and quantitative analysis of aqueous, geochemical and mineralized samples and even if possible, biological samples.
 There are Models XGY1011A and AF-640 Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometer in this laboratory which are widely used for analysis of elements such as Zn, Sb, As, Bi, Hg, Se, Cd, Sn, Te, Ge and Pb.