Plastic pellets, meso- and microplastics on the coastline of Northern Crete: distribution and organic pollutionPlastic pellets, meso- and microplastics on the coastline of Northern Crete: distribution and organic pollution Peer-Reviewed Journal Publication Δημοσίευση σε Περιοδικό με Κριτές 2019-06-192018enPlastic pollution in the marine environment is one of the foremost environmental problems of our time, as it affects wildlife and human health both directly and indirectly through the effects of contaminants carried by microplastics. This study investigates the temporal and spatial distribution of plastic pellets and fragments in sandy beaches along the coastline of Northern Crete, during 2013. Their densities varied throughout the year in each beach, with highest densities during the summer and towards the upper parts of the beaches. The concentrations of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) sorbed on microplastics sampled from nine sandy beaches of Northern Crete was quantified using Gas chromatography – Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry (GC-ITMS). PAHs concentrations ranged from non-detectable levels to 1592 ng/g and fluctuated between sampling periods. Based on the observed patterns of meso- and microplastics distribution, practical guidelines are proposed to minimize the entrance of microplastics into the seawater wherefrom they are exceptionally difficult to collect, if mitigation actions are to be applied. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Marine Pollution Bulletin133578-589 Karkanorachaki Aikaterini Καρκανοραχακη Αικατερινη Kyparissis Sotirios Κυπαρισσης Σωτηριος Kalogeraki Georgia-Kalypso Καλογερακη Γεωργια-Καλυψω Giantzi Evaggelia Γιαντζη Ευαγγελια Psyllaki Eleftheria Ψυλλακη Ελευθερια Kalogerakis Nikos Καλογερακης Νικος Elsevier Coastal environment Mesoplastics Microplastics Plastic pellets Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons