Diffuse pollution by persistent organic pollutants as measured in plastic pellets sampled from various beaches in Greece

► Plastic resin pellets collected from 4 Greek coasts were chemically analyzed. ► PCBs, DDTs, HCHs, and PAHs concentrations showed different spatial pattern. ► Pellets from industrial areas had more PCBs than those from remote areas. ► This study demonstrated the utility of pellet watch for local monitoring of POPs.