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Almond skin was used as a biosorbent by solid-phase extraction for the preconcentration of manganese(II) before the determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Characterization of almond skin was performed by infrared spectroscopy. The functional groups of the almond skin surface were shown to be beneficial for the adsorption of manganese(II). At pH 6.0, the manganese(II) ions were retained on the almond skin and afterward quantitatively eluted using 1.5 mol L−1nitric acid. The pH, flow rate and volume of sample, concentration, and flow rate of eluent and interfering ions were characterized. Using a sample size of 30 mL, a linear dynamic range of 1–120 µg L−1was obtained. A detection limit of 0.24 µg L−1manganese(II) and a relative standard deviation of 1.6% at 30 µg L−1were achieved. The accuracy of the present procedure was evaluated by the determination of manganese(II) in a certified reference material (GSB07-1189-2000). The protocol was also used for the determination of manganese(II) in wastewater. The fortified recoveries were from 99.0 to 99.4%. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]