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Christine Franke

Christine Franke

Researcher Scientist

Center · GEOSCIENCES

Discipline(s)
Ocean, Atmosphere, Solid Earth
Topic(s)
Acceptability, Adaptation, Biodiversity, Circularity, Industrial Risk, Maintenance and Durability, Public Policy, Recycling, Renewable Energy, Scenario-Modelling, Soils and Subsoils, Sustainable Development, Water

Keywords

Team

GIG - Géologie de l'Ingénieur et Géomécanique

Biography

Christine Franke is a researcher specializing in geosciences and environmental sciences, whose work focuses on the study of sedimentary processes, environmental pollution, and the application of magnetic methods to the analysis of contaminants. Her research has centered on three main areas: the impact of microplastics and organic pollutants on riverine and marine ecosystems, the use of environmental magnetism as a tool for tracing fine particles and pollution sources, particularly in urban and agricultural settings, and the characterization of diagenetic and paleoenvironmental processes in sediments. Her expertise includes the development of innovative protocols for passive sampling and rapid analysis of contaminants, as well as the integration of geochemical and magnetic data to reconstruct sedimentary dynamics and the interactions between human activities and natural environments. Her methodological contributions—such as the use of infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to identify microplastics and the application of magnetic susceptibility to track atmospheric particles—have helped improve the accuracy of environmental assessments.

Publication(s)

Teaching

Geoscience and the Anthropocene (GA)

Lecturer

The “Geosciences and the Anthropocene” GA course takes place at several sites impacted by human activity, specifically chosen to deepen students’ understanding of the challenges related to climate change and the energy transition. This course is organized as a one-week intensive off-campus session. For logistical reasons related to the large number of students, the class is divided into six groups working independently under the guidance of a multidisciplinary teaching team. The six groups will be based in the following areas: Paris and Morvan (Île-de-France) Digne-les-Bains and surrounding area (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence) Laragne and surrounding area (Hautes-Alpes) Romanche and Drac Valleys (Isère and Hautes-Alpes) Western Pyrenees (French and Spanish) Roya Valley (Alpes-Maritimes) For each group, the teaching team consists of 2 to 3 faculty members, each of whom will supervise a group of 8 students. Within these small groups, instruction will alternate between observation sessions of natural objects, independent work sessions in which students are invited to observe and analyze the geological terrain relevant to the instruction they have received, tutorials, and visits to key sites or engineering structures. Over the course of the week, each team will present the results of their workshops to all the students in their group.

Geology Internship or Practical Geology Course (for AST 2A only)

Course Director

One-week observation internship in LARAGNE-MONTEGLIN (Hautes-Alpes)

Geosciences (GEOSCIENCES) track

Lecturer

The program is organized into two main periods at the École des Mines: one month in September/October and 15 days in January, as well as an internship period that takes place either at a company or in a research laboratory. The geosciences track is directly linked to the research conducted at the Geosciences Center and involves numerous faculty members from that center, who equip students with the necessary knowledge to engage effectively in meetings and visits with professionals. The two periods—in the fall and in January—consist of lectures, field trips, and mini-projects on the one hand, and site visits and meetings with professionals on the other. The table below outlines the topics covered and the teaching methods. Topic Lectures and Mini-Projects Site Visits, Meetings with Professionals Risk Assessment and Uncertainty Management Risks Associated with Soil Pollution Geostatistical Tools BRGM - Landslide risks Monitoring / characterization Sampling in natural environments Geophysical tools Georeferencing Hydrogeological monitoring Fiber optics Invisensing - Fiber optics research Eau de Paris / SAUR Storengy - Research Center Spotlight – “Continuous Monitoring” Startup Understanding Natural Phenomena and Human Interactions Behavior of Pollutants in Natural Environments Geochemistry Hydrogeochemistry Seismic Imaging Volcanic systems Andra - Underground laboratory for studying nuclear waste storage CGG - Research and data processing center GISFI - Experimental site on a brownfield site Storengy - Research center Resource and waste management Geothermal potential Induced seismicity Hydrogeology in fractured environments Eau de Paris / SAUR Storengy - Underground gas storage site Fonroche - Deep geothermal power plant Ileva - Waste treatment and recovery center EDF - Sainte Rose Hydroelectric Power Plant TOTAL Group CIGEO Project Prevention, Management, and Remediation Participatory Initiatives Artelia New Coastal Road Construction Project in Saint Denis, Réunion EVOLEN Symposium What do young graduates go on to do? Some continue their education by pursuing a Ph.D. in geosciences, through industrial collaborations or academic theses: Stanford, ENS, CNRS, CEA, IPGP, MINES Paris Some pursue further training Petroleum Engineering at Texas A&M / IFP School / Corps des Mines Some enter the industrial sector, consulting, or public administration: Technic-Atome, EDF, TOTAL, NAVAL, AIR LIQUIDE, SUEZ ARTELIA, MAZAR, AGENCE FRANCAISE DE DEVELOPPEMENT, DRIEE

PhD supervision

  • 2023 Reduction of uncertainties and risk assessment for landscape evolution models – application to the Canche river basin UCHASARA HUARACHI Marylin
  • 2022 Airborne fine particle tracing by passive bio-collectors: link between urban environmental exposure and impact on human health (NanoTracs project) DAABOUL Nour
  • 2020 Tracing sources of industrial & urban pollution in the Scarpe watershed: from fieldwork to mixing modeling with mass balance LAURENCE Dylan