A method for the preconcentration of some transition elements at trace level was proposed using a column filled with Amberlite XAD-2000 resin. Metal ions were adsorbed on XAD-2000 as their diethyldithiocarbamate chelates, then analytes retained on the resin were eluted by 1 mol L-1 nitric acid in acetone and determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The influences of some analytical parameters including pH of sample solution, ligand amount, the type, concentration and volume of elution solution, flow rates of the sample and eluent solutions, adsorption capacity of the resin and sample volume on the preconcentration efficiency have been investigated. The influences of some matrix elements were also examined. The detection limit (N= 20, 3 sigma) for Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Cd(II), Zn(II), Pb(II) and Ni(II) were found as 0.20, 0.35, 0.25, 0.20,0.20,0.15,0.45 and 0.25 mu g L-1, respectively. The validation of the procedure was carried out by analysis of certified reference materials. The proposed method was applied to natural waters and kale vegetable (Brassica oleracea var. acephala). (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.