In this study, a simple, rapid and inexpensive approach for the screening of heavy metals with photometric reagents was developed based on porous, anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) films, with detection limits of 0.45 mg L
-1
(Co
2+
), 0.25 mg L
-1
(Pb
2+
) and 0.59 mg L
-1
(Ni
2+
). Noble metal ions Ag
+
and Pd
2+
, as well as Cu
2+
, formed nanoparticles within the AAO channels during micro-solid phase extraction driven by galvanic electroless displacement followed by UV detection.