In this study, a colorimetric probe was developed based on the malonamide dithiocarbamate functionalized gold nanoparticles (MA-DTC-Au NPs) for simultaneous colorimetric detection of Cu 2+ and Hg 2+ ions. The MA-DTC-Au NPs were quickly aggregated in the presence of Cu 2+ and Hg 2+ ions, resulting a color change from red to blue and red-shift in their surface plasmon resonance peak (SPR) from 525 to 780 nm and to 680 nm for Cu 2+ and Hg 2+ ions, respectively. On the basis of this, the concentration of Cu 2+ and Hg 2+ ions can be visualized with the naked eyes that can be quantitatively determined by UV−visible spectroscopy. The absorption ratios A 780nm /A 525nm and A 680nm /A 525nm show linear relationships with Cu 2+ and Hg 2+ ions concentrations within concentration ranges from 0.01 to 5 and 0.01 to 10 µM.The detection limits are as low as 41 nM and 45 nM for Cu 2+ and Hg 2+ ions, respectively. The MA-DTC-Au NPs was used as a potential colorimetric prober for the rapid, selective and sensitive detection of Cu 2+ and Hg 2+ ions in environmental water samples (drinking, tap, canal and river water).Recent years, the development of selective and sensitive probe for metal ions is in great demand due to their toxicity and shown adverse effect on the human health. 1,2 Among this, mercury is one of the most ubiquitous non-biodegradable toxic element which contaminates water and soil in various compositions (inorganic salts and metal complexes). 3,4 Hg 2+ ion can accumulate into human body via water or food chain due to its water solubility and passes easily through biological membranes. 5Moreover, higher concentration of Hg 2+ ion in body can permanently cause damage to brain, liver and the central nervous system. 6,7 On the other hand, copper is well known as the third essential transition element for the living organism which plays key role in various metabolic pathways and biological processes at certain concentrations. 8 However, excess amount of Cu 2+ ions in human body can cause serious neurodegenerative diseases such as cirrhosis, 9 Alzheimer's disease 10 and inflammatory disorders. 11 Therefore, detection of both the metal ions is essentially required at ultra trace levels in various environmental and biological samples. In this connection, many of the sophisticated analytical techniques are readily available to quantify both the metal ions (Cu 2+ and Hg 2+ ) in environmental samples at trace levels.Generally, these methods include atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), 12,13 cyclic voltammetry, 14 inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) 15,16 and use of some organic fluorophores 17 and biomolecules. 18 Although these methods provide good sensitivity but they are expensive and often required tedious sample treatment and also limited to on-site real time in-situ detection of metal ions. To overcome aforesaid problem, there is a need to develop a rapid, simple and economically viable method which allows real time in-situ detection of both the metal ions at ultra trace levels.13 (A 680nm /A 525nm ...