Solid-phase spectrophotometry was applied to determine trace amounts of zirconium(IV) in water, soil, plant materials and ore samples. Zr(VI) was sorbed in a dextran type lipophilic gel as a complex with 2-(2-benzothiazolylazo)-3-hydroxyphenol (BTAHP). Resin phase absorbances at 569 and 800 nm were measured directly, which allowed the determination of Zr in the range of 0.25-3.7 μg L −1 with an RSD of 1.06%. The influences of analytical parameters including pH, amounts of BTAHP, and sample volume were investigated. The molar absorptivities were found to be 1.08 × 10 5 , 6.38 × 10 6 , and 1.97 × 10 7 L mol −1 cm −1 for 100, 500, and 1000 mL, respectively. The LOD and LOQ of the 500 mL sample method were 150 and 470 ng L −1 , respectively, when using 40 mg dextran type lipophilic gel. For a 1000 mL sample, the LOD and LOQ were 80 and 240 ng L −1 , respectively. Increasing the sample volume enhanced the sensitivity. No considerable interferences were observed from other investigated anions and cations on the Zr(IV) determination.