The nonionic surfactant phase adsorbed on silica gel is proposed as a new medium for the separation and concentration of trace metal chelates. The 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol chelates of Ni(II) and Zn(II) can be concentrated into the nonionic surfactant phase on silica gel. It was found that these hydrophobic compounds were collected by dissolution into the surfactant assembly formed at the silica/water interface.