Macroporous HA resins (HAR) can be prepared in pearl form by grafting HA onto crosslinked PS through azo or through ester and / or ether linkages. At pH 13 and the HA / PSNH2 weight ratio 0.7—1.0

PSN2+Cl-couples with HA and results in the formation of a7o-type HA resin (HAR-A)

which shows good adsorbility towards heavy metal ions. The Cu2+ sorption capacity of ester / ether type humic acid resin (HAR-E) is increased by lengthening the reaction time of HA and PSCH2Cl. The structure of HAR is discussed on the basis of the IR spectra.The sorption capacity of HAR-A is 1.01mmol/g for Cd2+

Mn2+

Cu2+

Co2+and Zn2+

respectively.The calculated distribution coefficents of heavy metal ions on HAR-A can be arranged in the following order;Cu2+(8.7×103)>Cd2(3.8×102)>Zn2+(2.4×102)>Ni2+(1.8×102)>Mn2+(4.9×10).At pH 6.5

Cu2+

Cd2+

Ni2+

Mn2+ can be quantitatively asdorbed by HAR-A and completely eluted with 1N HNO3.HAR-A can be regenerated and reused.Trace quantities of the above-mentioned heavy metal ions in four samples of the natural occurring water and one sample of the tap water were analyzed by using HAR-A.