Detection of Atrazine and its metabolites by photonic molecularly imprinted polymers in aqueous solutions

•Photonic MIP-based sensors offer a fast, facile, and inexpensive method to detect and monitor atrazine and its metabolites in aqueous solutions.•Natural waters properties does not diminish MIP sensor qualification for monitoring atrazine and its metabolites.•MIPs were able to selectively detect atrazine and two of its water soluble metabolites.•Sensors can be used in the field, avoiding the need of sample collection.