A new method is described for the simultaneous preconcentration of trace metal ions. The method is based on the adsorption of Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+ and Cd2+ ions on 2,4,6,8-tetra(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3,5,7(1,3)tetrabenzenzcyclooctaphane-14 ,16,34,36,54,56,74,76-octol (salicylaldehyde calix[4] resorcinarenes) (new resorcinarenes derivative) modified on Amberlite XAD-16. The adsorbed analyte ions were eluted with 6 mL 3 M HCl in acetone solution, which then were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The influences of the analytical parameters including pH, ligand amount and solid phase ingredient, eluting solution conditions and sample volume were investigated. Common coexisting ions did not interfere with the separation and determination. The preconcentration factor is 208. The sorbent exhibited excellent stability and its sorption capacity under optimum conditions has been found to be more than 60 mu g of ions per gram of sorbent. The relative standard deviation under optimum conditions is lower than 4.10%. The accuracy of the method was estimated by using different real samples. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier B.V.