中国科学院广州地球化学研究所（以下简称“广州地化所”）的前身为中国科学院地球化学研究所广州分部。1987年，中国科学院地球化学研究所整建制搬迁部分学科、研究室与原中国科学院广州地质新技术研究所合并，成立中国科学院地球化学研究所广州分部。1994年经中央机构编制委员会办公室批准使用现名。 

2002年，广州地化所与原中国科学院长沙大地构造研究所异地整合，整体进入中国科学院“知识创新”工程二期试点系列。2011 年进入中国科学院“创新2020”整体择优支持研究所行列。2020年，经第13次中科院院长办公会议批准，广州地化所深地科学卓越创新中心正式进入筹建期。广州地化所坚持“三个面向”，主要研究方向包括：大陆动力学与岩石圈演化、深部地质过程与地球系统变化、成矿规律与油气成藏动力学、海洋地质与边缘海演化、环境污染与控制等。广州地化所致力于推动有机地球化学、元素和同位素地球化学、环境科学与技术、油气与矿产资源等重点学科领域的发展；紧密围绕“资源生态环境”核心领域定位，做出“基础性、战略性、前瞻性”创新贡献，为解决国家和地方经济社会可持续发展所面临的能源资源和生态环境等重大科技问题提供知识基础与技术支撑。 

Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (hereinafter referred to as "Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry") was formerly known as Guangzhou Branch, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences. In 1987, the Institute of Geochemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) was merged with the former Guangzhou Institute of New Technology of Geology to establish the Guangzhou Branch of the Institute of Geochemistry of CAS. The current name was approved by the Office of the Central Commission for Public Sector Reform in 1994.

In 2002, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry was integrated with Changsha Institute of Geotectonics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and entered into the second phase pilot series of "Knowledge Innovation" Project of Chinese Academy of Sciences. In 2011, it was selected as the "Innovation 2020" overall merit-based support Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. In 2020, with the approval of the 13th Office Meeting of the President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the Guangzhou Geochem Institute of Deep Earth Science Excellence Innovation Center officially entered the preparation period. Adhering to the "three directions", the main research directions of Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry include: continental dynamics and lithospheric evolution, deep geological processes and Earth system changes, metallogenic laws and hydrocarbon accumulation dynamics, Marine geology and marginal sea evolution, environmental pollution and control, etc. The Institute is committed to promoting the development of key disciplines such as organic geochemistry, element and isotope geochemistry, environmental science and technology, oil and gas and mineral resources. Centering on the core field of "resources, ecology and environment", the company will make "basic, strategic and forward-looking" innovative contributions to provide knowledge base and technical support for solving major scientific and technological issues such as energy, resources and ecological environment facing the sustainable development of national and local economy and society.