Techniques for sensing chemicals in aqueous environments, and systems configured for sensing chemicals in aqueous environments are provided. More particularly, techniques and systems for detecting a presence or absence of aromatic chemicals in aqueous environments are provided. An example may include receiving emitted light from a first port of an optical circulator, reflecting at least a portion of the received emitted light to produce reflected light, and transmitting the reflected light from the second port of the optical circulator. The reflected light may be produced, at least in part, by an interaction of chemicals and an array of photonic silica of the second port.