A new method for the determination of trace beryllium in geological samples by oxygen-air-acetylene flame atomic absorption spectrometry is reported in the present paper. The optimum determination conditions were selected. When suitable amounts of 8-hydroxyquinoline are added, the interference effect from the coexisting elements can be minimized and the sensitivity for the determination of beryllium can be increased. The detection limit (k = 3) is 0.006 microg x mL(-1) for beryllium. The method has been applied to the determination of trace beryllium in geological standard samples, and the results are in good agreement with the certified values with a precision of 4.69% RSD( n = 8).