A novel method has been developed for the speciation of chromium in natural water samples based on cloud point extraction (CPE) separation and preconcentration, and determination by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). In this method, Cr(III) reacts with 1-penyl-3-methyl-4-benzoylpyrazol-5-one (PMBP) yielding a hydrophobic complex, which then is entrapped in the surfactant-rich phase, whereas Cr(VI) remained in aqueous phase. Thus, separation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) could be realized. Total chromium was determined after the reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) by using ascorbic acid as reducing reagent. PMBP was used not only as chelating reagent in CPE procedure, but also as chemical modifier in GFAAS determination of chromium. The detection limit for Cr(III) was 21 ng L-1 with an enrichment factor of 42, and the relative standard deviation was 3.5% (n = 7, c = 10 ng mL(-1)). The proposed method has been applied to the speciation of chromium in natural water samples with satisfactory results. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.