Detection and elimination of munitions are important for both humans and wildlife. Gurtowski explained that his system includes a container with an amine-functionalized chitin (AFC) compound to interact with a water sample. The AFC compound produces a color change correlated with the presence and concentration of munitions. With detection of at least a one part per million (ppm) concentration of NTO, DNAN or TNT, a solid pale-yellow organic nitrogen compound used chiefly as an explosive, the munitions are absorbed by the AFC compound, and a filter captures and removes the environmentally harmful particles.