The new type of ion chelating resin (IDA-PUF) has iminodiacetic group that was prepared from polyurethane foam (PUF) by the reaction between primary amine of PUF and monochloro-acetic acid. The IDA-PUF was characterized using infrared spectra, elemental and thermal analysis. The exchange properties and chromatographic behaviour of the new chelating resin were investigated for removal of some alkali metal ions (lithium, sodium and potassium) using batch and column processes. The maximum distribution coefficient (K-D) of trace alkali metal ions was in the pH range of 8-10. The kinetics of sorption of the alkali metal ions was found to be fast with average Values of half-life of sorption (t(1/2)) of 4.93 min. The values of Delta G, Delta S and Delta H were -3.86 kJ mol(-1), 57.73J mol(-1) K-1 and 14.41 kJ mol(-1), respectively, which reflects the spontaneous and endothermic nature of ion exchanger process. The average sorption capacity of IDA-PUF is 4.8 mmol/g for alkali metal ions, enrichment factors P 40 and the recovery 95-100% were also achieved with average value of RSD% = 1.67. The proposed method has been successfully applied to preconcentrate, determinate and remove the alkali metal ions from different samples of water. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.