Gallic acid was immobilized on Amberlite XAD-16 by coupling it through -N=N group. The resulting chelating resin AmberliteXAD-16 gallic acid, characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), infrared (IR) spectra and BET analysis, was used to preconcentrate Cr(III), Mn(II),Fe(III),Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II)ions. The resin was employed for the preconcentration of the metal ions present in river water and industrial area aqueous samples. Several parameters like effect of pH, effect of time, effect of sample volume and flow rate of sample were investigated. The sorption capacities for the resin were 216 mu mol g(-1), 180 mu mol g(-1), 403 mu mol g(-1), 281 mu mol g(-1), 250 mu mol g(-1) and 344 mu mol g(-1) for Cr(III), Mn(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) respectively. The preconcentration factors for Cr(III), Mn(II),Fe(III),Ni(II),Co(II) and Cu(II) were found out to be 300, 200, 400, 285.7, 300 and 400 respectively. The effect of various interfering ions was also studied. Results were validated by using standard addition method for river water sample. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.