Predicting marine litter accumulation patterns in the Mediterranean basin: spatio-temporal variability and comparison with empirical data

•The spatio-temporal distribution of floating litter was predicted at the Mediterranean level with a model coupled with a literature review.•The main litter accumulation patterns are located in the western and central sub-basins.•Litter in the Levantine sub-basin strand locally without outflow to other sub-regions.•Macro and micro-litter spatial accumulation patterns are not correlated.