Sample preparation method for the speciation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and their methoxylated and hydroxylated analogues in diverse environmental matrices

► A reliable analytical method for the determination of PBDEs, MeO-PBDEs and OH-PBDEs. ► Simultaneous separation of PBDEs, MeO-PBDEs and OH-PBDEs in sample preparation step. ► Higher sensitivity of LC-MS/MS method for OH-PBDEs analysis. ► Water, soil, sediment, plant, mollusk and fish matrices were studied. ► Three kinds of MeO-PBDEs were detected in Chinese marine animals.