A DPCSV procedure for the determination of selenium (IV) with a prior preconcentrative coprecipitation on iron (III) hydroxide has been developed. The experimental conditions for coprecipitation of selenium (IV) onto iron (III) hydroxide, viz. pH, iron (III) concentration, volume of aqueous phase and selenium concentration, were optimized. The coprecipitated selenium (IV) is dissolved in 10 ml of 0.1 M HCl and analysed using DPCSV in the presence of copper (II). Selenium concentrations as low as 10–100 ng present in 500 ml of the aqueous phase could be determined. The method is precise and has been applied to the analysis of sea water and reference material samples.