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Dr Elaine Baker, MAppSc, PhD

Principle Research Fellow

Madsen Building (F09), Rm 308-B
Phone: +61 2 9351 3000
Fax: +61 2 9036 6588
Email:

Research Interests

Elaine is the Director of the UNEP Shelf Programme at the University of Sydney. The Programme headquarters are located at UNEP-GRID Arendal in Norway. UNEP Shelf aims to assist coastal states with submissions to secure sovereign rights to continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles under article 76 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Currently Elaine is working with colleagues from Geoscience Australia, South Western Pacific Coastal States and SOPAC to determine the areas of potential legal extended continental shelf in the region. Information about Australia’s submission to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf can be found here.

Elaine is also the co-ordinator of the Asian Neighbours Network “University of the Sea”. The “University of the Sea” is a partnership between the University of Sydney, the University of NSW, the University of Technology Sydney, the Australian National University, the University of Tokyo, the Korean Ocean Research and Development Institute, Tongji University China, the Partnership for Observation of the Global Oceans Canada, the National Institute of Oceanography Goa, the Indonesian Research Centre for Marine Technology and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO.

The aim of the “University of the Sea” is to enable senior researchers from the region to work with young local scholars on marine issues of direct interest to the Asia – Pacific region. Students will address specific regional problems (including those unique to tropical and sub-tropical countries) through a program of targeted research. Further information and application forms for students wishing to participate can be found [[http://www.usims.org.usyd.edu.au/floating.html||here].

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Selected Publications

Books

  • Full Fathom Five: 15 years of Australian Involvement in the Ocean Drilling Program, Australian Ocean Drilling Programme, Sydney, 2004, Baker E.K. and Keene J.B. (Editors).

Book chapters

  • Dalrymple, R.W., Baker, E.K., Harris, P.T., and Hughes, M.G., (2003). Sedimentology and stratigraphy of a tide-dominated, foreland basin delta (Fly River, Papua New Guinea). In: H. Sidi, D. Nummedal, P. Imbert, H. Darman and H.W. Posamentier (Editors), Tropical Deltas of Southeast Asia - Sedimentology, Stratigraphy and Petroleum Geology, SEPM Special Publication No. 76, 147-173.

Refereed Publications

  • Harris, P.T., Hughes, M.G., Baker, E.K., Dalrymple, R.W., and Keene, J.B., (submitted). Sediment export from distributary channels to the pro-deltaic environment in a tidally-dominated delta: Fly River, Papua New Guinea. Continental Shelf Research.
  • Bickford, G., Toll J., Hansen, J., Baker, E. and Keesson, J. (2000). Aquatic ecological and human health risk assessment of sewer overflow discharge in the Sydney region, NSW Australia. Marine Pollution Bulletin.
  • Harris, P. T., Pattiaratchi, C. B., Keene, J. B., Dalrymple, R. W., Gardner, J. V., Baker, E. K., Cole, A. R., Mitchell, D., Gibbs, P., and Schroeder, W. W. (1996). Late Quaternary deltaic and carbonate sedimentation in the Gulf of Papua foreland basin: Response to sea-level change. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 66(4), 801-819.
  • Baker, E.K., Harris, P.T. Kensett-Smith, B., Bagster, D.F. and Nobbs, D.M. (1995) Physical Properties of Sewage Particles in Sea Water Marine Pollution Bulletin Vol 30, No 4, 247-252.
  • Baker, E.K., Harris, P.T., Keene, J.B. and Short, S.A. (1995) Patterns of Sedimentation in the macrotidal Fly River Delta, Papua New Guinea. Flemming W.B.& Bartholoma, A (eds.) Tidal signatures in modern and ancient sediments. International Association of Sedimentologists Special Publication No. 24. 213-224.
  • Harris, P.T., Baker, E.K. and Cole, A.R.(1994) Late Quaternary sedimentation at the Fly River-Great Barrier Reef junction (northern Australia). 7th International Coral Reef Symposium. Guam. Vol 2, 1147-1155.
  • Harris P.T., Baker E.K., Cole A.R. and Short S.A. (1993) Preliminary study of sedimentation in the tidally dominated Fly River Delta, Gulf of Papua. Continental Shelf Res. 13(4), 441-472.
  • Baker, E. K., and Harris, P. T. (1991). Copper, lead and zinc in the sediments of the Fly River Delta and Torres Strait. Maine Pollution Bulletin. 22(12) 614-618.
  • Harris P.T. and Baker E.K. (1991) The Nature of Sediments Forming the Torres Strait Turbidity Maximum. Aust. J. Earth Sci. 38, 65-78.
  • Baker E.K., Harris P.T. and Beck R.W. (1990) Cu and Cd Associated with Suspended Particulate Matter in Torres Strait. Marine Pollution Bulletin 21 (10) 484-486.

Monographs and Reports

  • Baker E.K. and Cole, A.R. (1998) Water and sediment quality measurements, physical properties and flushing regimes in the shipping ports of NSW. Report for AQUIS. University of Sydney Ocean Science Institute Technical Report 2/98, 45pp.
  • Baker E.K. and Schneider (1998) Stormwater quality in the Sydney and Illawarra region Volumes 1 and 2. University of Sydney Ocean Science Institute Technical Report 1/98, 320pp.
  • Baker E.K. and others (June 1998) Ecological and human health risk assessment of chemicals in wet weather sewer overflow discharges in the Sydney, Blue Mountains and Illawarra areas. Sydney Water Corporation, 246 pp.
  • Baker E.K. and others (1997) Workplan for ecological and human health risk assessment of chemicals in sewer overflow discharges. Sydney Water Corporation, 150pp.
  • Baker E.K. and others (1997) Ecological and human health risk assessment of chemicals in sewage treatment plant discharges to the Georges River, Sydney Water Corporation, 145pp.
  • Baker E.K. and others (1997) Workplan for ecological and human health risk assessment of chemicals in sewage discharges, Georges River, Sydney Water Corporation, 134pp.
  • Baker E.K. and others (1996) Ecological and human health risk assessment of chemicals in sewage treatment plant discharges to the Hawkesbury Nepean River, Sydney Water Corporation, 145pp.
  • Baker E.K. and others (1997) Work plan for ecological and human health risk assessment of chemicals in sewage discharges, Hawkesbury Nepean River, Sydney Water Corporation, 173pp.
  • Hughes, M.G. and Baker, E.K. (1996) Using satellite remote sensing data to identify coastline changes in the Fly River Delta, PNG, University of Sydney Ocean Science Institute Report 68 21pp.
  • Baker E.K. (1995) Preliminary assessment of chemicals in sewer overflow and stormwater discharges. Sydney Water Corporation, December 1995, 130 pp.
  • Baker, E.K. and Cole, A.R. (1994). X-Radiography of cores from the Botany Aquifer. University of Sydney Ocean Science Institute Technical Report 33, 20pp.
  • Baker, E.K., Cole, A.R. and Jenkins, C.J. (1994). Sediment Analysis Protocols: Version 1.2 University of Sydney Ocean Sciences Institute Technical Report 34, 20pp.
  • Baker, E.K. (1994) Investigation into the potential toxicity of power station emissions to marine organisms. University of Sydney Ocean Sciences Institute Technical Report 35, 9pp.
  • Baker, E.K. (1994). X-Radiography of cores from the Botany Aquifer: Phase 2 University of Sydney Ocean Science Institute Technical Report 36 30pp.
  • Baker, E.K. (1994). X-Radiography of cores from the Botany Aquifer: Phase 3 University of Sydney Ocean Science Institute Technical Report 37 35pp.
  • Harris, P.T., Baker, E.K., Bagster, D. and Nobbs, D. (1993) Investigation of the Pysical Properties of Sewage Particles. University of Sydney Ocean Sciences Institute Report 53, 480pp.
  • Baker, E.K. and Harris, P.T. (1993). Iron Cove: Preliminary Sediment and Water Study. University of Sydney Ocean Sciences Institute Report 57, 51pp+ Figures.
  • Harris, P.T., Baker, E.K. Cole, A.R. & Keene, J.B. (1991) Final Report: Sandwave movement, currents and sedimentation in Torres Strait: Results obtained during a cruise of RV Sunbird in September 1991. University of Sydney Ocean Sciences Institute Report 47, 113pp.
  • Harris, P.T., Baker, E.K. and Cole, A.R. (1991) Physical sedimentology of the Australian continental shelf with emphasis on late Quaternary deposits in major shipping channels, port approaches and choke points. University of Sydney Ocean Sciences Institute Report 51, 505pp.
  • Harris P.T., Baker E.K. and Cole A.R. (1990). Sandwave Movement, Currents and Sedimentation in Torres Strait: Results obtained during a cruise of HMAS Cook in April 1990.University of Sydney Ocean Sciences Institute Report 43, 225pp.
  • Harris P.T. and Baker E.K. (1989). Sources of Turbidity in Torres Strait Waters: Comparison of Suspended and Seabed Sediment Properties. University of Sydney Ocean Sciences Institute Report 39, 65 pp.
  • Harris P.T., Baker E.K. and Schneider P.M. (1989). Sandwave Movement, Currents and Sediment in Torres Strait: Summary of Data Including Results Obtained During a Cruise of HMAS Flinders in February 1989.University of Sydney Ocean Sciences Institute Report 40, 79 pp.
  • Baker E.K., Harris P.T., Hubble T.C.T., Jenkins C.J., Keene J.B., Manning P.B. and Packham G.H. (1988). Geological and Geological Results of the HMAS Cook SEAMAP Cruise 1-86: Tasman Sea and Polynesia. University of Sydney Ocean Sciences Institute Report 30, 32pp.
  • Baker E.K., Harris P.T. and Packham G. H. (1988). Physical Properties of Sediment Sub-samples from Cores Collected in the Tasman Sea and Polynesia During the 'SEAMAP' Program. 1985-87. University of Sydney Ocean Sciences Institute Report 31, 189 pp.
  • Harris P.T. and Baker E.K. (1988). A Review of Seabed Sediments, Morphology and Acoustic Properties of the Outer Continental Shelf and Upper Slope, Northern Australia (Gladstone to Dampier). University of Sydney Ocean Sciences Institute Report 33, 121 pp.
  • Harris P.T., Schneider P.M. and Baker E.K. (1988). Currents, Sedimentation and Sandwave Migration in the Great North East Channel and Adolphus Channel Areas of Torres Strait: Report on Measurements Taken During HMAS Cook Cruises, 1988. University of Sydney Ocean Sciences Institute Report 28, 57 pp.

Conference Abstracts

  • Desa E. and Baker E. (2004) Developing country requirements for operational ocean data and products in national development. Ocean OPS 04 Toulouse, France, 10–15 May 2004.
  • Keessen, R., Hansen, J., Bickford, G. and Baker, E. (1998) Ecological and Human Health Risk Assessment of Chemicals in Sewage Overflows in the Sydney Region. AWWA 18th Federal Convention, Adelaide Australia.
  • Winton, T.C., Schneider, P., Mackney, T., Malikides, M., Baker, E.K. and Scott, S. (1996). Can you trust your field, laboratory, analytical or databased data without external QA/QC? Intersect ‘96, July 14-18, Sydney Australia.
  • Dalrymple, B, Baker, EK, Harris, P.T. and Hughes, M.G. (1996) Geomorphology and sedimentology of the muddy tide dominated Fly River Delta, PNG. Geological Society of America meeting “ From sandstone to Chaos: Processes in Sedimentology” USA
  • Dalrymple, B, Baker, EK, Harris, P.T. and Hughes, M.G. (1996) Sedimentation in the Fly River delta Papua New Guinea, a muddy tide dominated delta in a foreland basin setting. Tidalites ‘96, Savannah Georgia.
  • Baker E.K. and Schneider P.(1996) Sediment sampling validation. Australian Marine Data Collection and Management Guidelines Workshop, December 1996, Hobart.
  • Schneider P.M. and Baker E.K. (1996) Sediment trace contaminant data interpretation. Australian Marine Data Collection and Management Guidelines Workshop, December 1996, Hobart.
  • Schneider P.M. and Baker E.K.(1996) Quality and variability of trace contaminant analysis in sediments. Australian Marine Data Collection and Management Guidelines Workshop, December 1996, Hobart.
  • Harris, P.T., Baker, E.K. and Cole, A.R. (1993) Late Quaternary sedimentation in the Fly Delta/Gulf of Papua Region. Influence of Tropical Rivers on Coastal Oceanographic Process Workshop, June 21-26, 1993, Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townville, Queensland.
  • Baker, E.K. and Harris, P.T. (1992) Estuarine and deltaic sedimentation patterns of the macrotidal Fly River; Papua New Guinea. 3rd International Research Symposium on Clastic Tidal Deposits, Aug. 24-28, 1992, Wilhelmshaven, Germany.
  • Baker E.K. (1991) Copper and zinc distribution in the sediments of the Fly River and Torres Strait. In: D. Lawrence and T. Cransfield Smith (eds.) Sustainable Development for the Traditional Inhabitants of the Torres Strait Region, Torres Strait Baseline Study Conference, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Workshop Series No. 16, pp. 87-97.
  • Harris P.T. and Baker E.K. (1990) Processes and deposits at a major fluvial deltaic-coral reef junction: Fly River Delta Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Proc. 13th International Sedimentology Congress, 24-30th August, 1990, Nottingham, U.K., p.211
  • Harris P.T., Baker E.K., Mulhearn P. and Schneider P.M. (1988). Marine Geology of the Torres Strait. Proc. 25th Aust. Mar. Sci. Assoc. Conf., Sydney, pp. 87-91.
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