Dr Jaco Baas

Reader in Ocean Sciences

Contact info

Position: Reader

Room: 305 Craig Mair

Phone: 01248 382894

E-mail: j.baas@bangor.ac.uk

Web: Google Scholar, ResearchGate

I am Reader in Fine Particle Dynamics in the School of Ocean Sciences, and specialise in the erosion, transport, and deposition of fine, cohesive sediment. I graduated from the University of Utrecht (the Netherlands) with a combined BSc/MSc in Sedimentary Geology in 1988. At the same university, I completed my PhD in Bedform Dynamics in 1993. Subsequently, I was Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Geomar Research Centre in Kiel, Germany (studying Late-Pleistocene climate signals in slope sediments from the North-Atlantic continental margin), at the University of Rouen, France (on resuspension processes in the Seine estuary and gravel mining in the English Channel), and at the University of Bergen, Norway (investigating grain orientations in turbidite deposits).

In 1998, I moved to the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Leeds, where I started as a Marie Curie Research Fellow and then became a Senior Research Fellow. My research in Leeds included the physical properties of particulate density currents and their deposits and the dynamics of turbulence-modulated flows carrying cohesive clay particles. I took up my present post in Bangor in January 2007.

I am a process sedimentologist with more than 25 years of experience in sediment transport in fluvial, shallow marine, and deep-marine environments. My main fundamental and applied research interests include physical and biological cohesion in fine-grained sediment, the dynamics of sedimentary bedforms, and sediment gravity flows in the deep ocean, but my expertise also stretches to hydraulic engineering, palaeoclimatology, and mathematical modelling. I combine experimental research with field work to answer timely research questions, taking a blue-skies approach as well as collaborating with industry.

Research Area

Sediment Dynamics and Morphology

  1. Published
  2. Published

    Grain fabric control on directional permeability in deep-marine sandstones.

    Baas, J. H., McCaffrey, W. D., Hailwood, E. & Kay, M., 1 Jan 2006.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  3. Published
  4. Published

    Influence of cohesive clay on wave–current ripple dynamics captured in a 3D phase diagram

    Xuxu, W., Malarkey, J., Fernández, R., Baas, J., Pollard, E. & Parsons, D., 30 Jan 2024, In: Earth Surface Dynamics. 12, p. 231-247

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  5. Published

    Integrating field and laboratory approaches for ripple development in mixed sand-clay-EPS

    Baas, J. H., Baker, M., Malarkey, J., Bass, S. J., Manning, A. J., Hope, J. A., Peakall, J., Lichtman, I., Ye, L., Davies, A., Parsons, D. R., Paterson, D. M. & Thorne, P. D., Dec 2019, In: Sedimentology. 66, 7, p. 2749-2768 20 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  6. Published

    Interactions between sediment microbial ecology and physical dynamics drive heterogeneity in contextually similar depositional systems

    Hope, J. A., Malarkey, J., Baas, J. H., Peakall, J., Parsons, D., Manning, A. J., Bass, S., Lichtman, I., Thorne, P., Ye, L. & Paterson, D. M., Oct 2020, In: Limnology and Oceanography. 65, 10, p. 2403-2419

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  7. Published
  8. Published

    Looking inside turbidity currents: the effects of spatial and temporal changes in velocity, concentration and grain size on depositional properties.

    Baas, J. H., McCaffrey, W. D., Choux, C. & Haughton, P. D., 1 Jan 2003.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  9. Accepted/In press

    Marine redox dynamics and biotic response to the mid-Silurian Ireviken Extinction Event in a mid-shelf setting

    Wang, Y., Wignall, P. B., Xiong, Y., Loydell, D. K., Peakall, J., Baas, J. H., Mills, B. J. W. & Poulton, S. W., 13 Mar 2024, (Accepted/In press) In: Journal of the Geological Society.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  10. Published

    Mixed Sand—Mud Bedforms Produced by Transient Turbulent Flows in the Fringe of Submarine Fans: Indicators of Flow Transformation

    Baker, M. L. & Baas, J. H., Aug 2020, In: Sedimentology. 67, 5, p. 2645-2671 27 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  11. Published

    Modelling rheological and turbulence regimes in kaolinite-rich sediment flows.

    Silva Jacinto, R. & Baas, J. H., 1 Jan 2007.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  12. Published
  13. Published

    Non-cohesive, mixed and cohesive high-density turbidity currents: Flow and deposit properties inferred from laboratory experiments.

    Manica, R., Baas, J. H., De Oliveira Borges, A. L., Maestri, R. D., Peakall, J. & McCaffrey, W. D., 1 Jan 2006.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  14. Published

    On the flow of natural clay suspensions over smooth and rough beds.

    Baas, J. H. & Best, J. L., 1 Jan 2008.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  15. Published

    On the origin of chevron marks and striated grooves, and their use in predicting mud bed rheology

    McGowan, D., Salian, A., Baas, J., Peakall, J. & Best, J., Feb 2024, Sedimentology, 71, 2, p. 687-708 22 p.

    Research output: Contribution to specialist publicationArticle

  16. Published

    Passive sediment filling of U-shaped animal burrows.

    Kellman, P., Baas, J. H., Best, J. L. & Uchman, A., 1 Jan 2004.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  17. Published
  18. Published

    Predicting bedforms and primary current stratification in cohesive mixtures of mud and sand

    Baas, J. H., Best, J. L. & Peakall, J., Jan 2016, In: Journal of the Geological Society. 173, 1, p. 12-45

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  19. Published

    Processes and products of turbidity currents entering soft muddy substrates

    Baas, J. H., Manica, R., Puhl, E., Verhagen, I. & de O.Borges, A. L., May 2014, In: Geology. 42, 5, p. 371-374

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  20. Published

    Rapid gravity flow transformation revealed in a single climbing ripple

    Baas, J. H., Best, J. & Peakall, J., 1 May 2021, In: Geology. 49, 5, p. 493-497

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  21. Published

    Reversed sediment wave migration in the Irish Sea, NW Europe: A reappraisal of the validity of geometry-based predictive modelling and assumptions

    Van Landeghem, K. J., Baas, J. H., Mitchell, N., Wilcockson, D. & Wheeler, A. J., 15 Feb 2012, In: Marine Geology. 295-298, p. 95-112

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  22. Published

    Ripple formation induced by biogenic mounds – Comment

    Baas, J. H. & Best, J. L., 15 Aug 2000, In: Marine Geology. 168, 1-4, p. 145-151

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  23. Published

    Ripple, Ripple Mark, Ripple Structure.

    Baas, J. H. & Middleton, G. V. (ed.), 1 Jan 2003, Encyclopedia of Sediments and Sedimentary Rocks. 2003 ed. Kluwer Academic Publishers, p. 565-567

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

  24. Published
  25. Published

    Sediment Composition Influences Spatial Variation in the Abundance of Human Pathogen Indicator Bacteria within an Estuarine Environment

    Perkins, T. L., Clements, K., Baas, J. H., Jago, C. F., Jones, D. L., Malham, S. K. & McDonald, J. E., 14 Nov 2014, In: PLoS ONE. 9, 11

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  26. Published

    Sediment gravity flows: Recent advances in process and field analysis – Introduction

    Baas, J. H., 1 Aug 2005, In: Sedimentary Geology. 179, 1-2, p. 1-3

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  27. Published

    Sole marks reveal deep-marine depositional process and environment: implications for flow transformation and hybrid event bed models

    Baas, J., Tracey, N. D. & Peakall, J., 4 Oct 2021, In: Journal of Sedimentary Research. 91, 9, p. 986–1009

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  28. Published

    Spatio-temporal evolution of velocity structure, concentration and grainsize stratification within experimental particulate gravity currents.

    McCaffrey, W. D., Choux, C. M., Baas, J. H. & Haughton, P. D., 1 Jun 2003, In: Marine and Petroleum Geology. 20, 6-8, p. 851-860

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  29. Published

    Sticky stuff: Redefining bedform prediction in modern and ancient environments

    Schindler, R. J., Parsons, D. R., Ye, L., Hope, J. A., Baas, J. H., Peakall, J., Manning, A. J., Aspden, R. J., Malarkey, J., Simmons, S., Paterson, D. M., Lichtman, I. D., Davies, A. G., Thorne, P. D. & Bass, S. J., 27 Mar 2015, In: Geology.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  30. Published

    Streamwise turbulence modulation in non-uniform open-channel clay suspension flows

    de Vet, M. G. W., Fernandez, R., Baas, J. H., McCaffrey, W. D. & Dorrell, R. M., Aug 2023, In: Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface. 128, 8, e2022JF006781.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  31. Published

    Submarine Mass Movements and their Consequences, by J. Locat, & J. Mienert

    Baas, J. H. & Strachan, L., 1 May 2005, Unknown.

    Research output: Other contribution

  32. Published

    Suspended and bedload dynamics in a tidally influenced river: the river Dyfi, Wales, UK.

    Brewer, P., Vericat, D., Baas, J. H., Jago, C. F., Brasington, J., Wheaton, J. M. & Causer, F., 1 Jan 2007.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  33. Published

    TDURE : A mathematical model for the duration of deposition from decelerating high-density turbidity currents.

    Baas, J. H., Van Dam, R. L. & Storms, J. E., 1 Jan 2000, p. 74-75.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  34. Published

    Temporal flow structure of an experimental particulate density current linked to textural variation of the resultant flume deposit.

    Barker, S., McCaffrey, B., Haughton, P., Baas, J. H. & Choux, C., 1 Jan 2004.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  35. Published
  36. Published

    The Deep-Water Architecture Knowledge Base: Towards objective comparison of deep-marine sedimentary systems.

    Baas, J. H., McCaffrey, W. D. & Knipe, R. J., 1 Nov 2005, In: Petroleum Geoscience. 11, 4, p. 309-320

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  37. Published

    The Deep-Water Architecture Knowledge Base: Towards objective comparison of deep-marine sedimentary systems.

    Baas, J. H. & McCaffrey, W. D., 1 Jan 2006.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  38. Published

    The Effect of Clay Type on the Properties of Cohesive Sediment Gravity Flows and their Deposits

    Baker, M. L., Baas, J. H., Malarkey, J., Silva Jacinto, R., Craig, M. J., Kane, I. A. & Barker, S., 2017, In: Journal of Sedimentary Research. 87, 11, p. 1176-1195 59 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  39. Published

    The dynamics of turbulent, transitional and laminar clay-laden flow over a fixed current ripple.

    Baas, J. H. & Best, J. L., 1 Jun 2008, In: Sedimentology. 55, 3, p. 635-66

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  40. Published

    The hiding-exposure effect revisited: A method to calculate the mobility of bimodal sediment mixtures

    McCarron, C. J., Van Landeghem, K. J. J., Baas, J. H., Amoudry, L. O. & Malarkey, J., Apr 2019, In: Marine Geology. 410, p. 22-31

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  41. Published

    The pervasive role of biological cohesion in bedform development

    Malarkey, J., Baas, J. H., Hope, J. A., Aspenden, R. J., Parsons, D. R., Peakall, J., Peterson, D. M., Schindler, R. J., Ye, L., Lichtman, I. D., Bass, S. J., Davies, A. G., Manning, A. J. & Thorne, P. D., 6 Feb 2015, In: Nature Communications. 6, 6257

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  42. Published
  43. Published

    The role of biophysical cohesion on subaqueous bed form size

    Parsons, D. R., Schindler, R. J., Hope, J. A., Malarkey, J., Baas, J. H., Peakall, J., Manning, A. L., Ye, L., Simmons, S., Paterson, D. M., Aspden, R. J., Bass, S. J., Davies, A. G., Lichtman, I. D. & Thorne, P. D., 28 Jan 2016, In: Geophysical Research Letters. 43, p. 1566-1573

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  44. Published

    Thresholds of intrabed flow and other interactions of turbidity currents with soft muddy substrates

    Baas, J., Manica, R., Puhl, E. & Borges, A. L. D. O., 1 Dec 2016, In: Sedimentology. 63, 7, p. 2002-2036

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  45. Published

    Turbulence modulation behind ripples and dunes in clay-laden currents.

    Baas, J. H. & Best, J. L., 1 Jan 2004.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  46. Published

    Turbulence modulation in clay-laden flows over ripples and dunes.

    Baas, J. H. & Best, J. L., 1 Jan 2005.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  47. Published

    Turbulence modulation in clay-rich flows: Implications for depositional process and bed form geometry.

    Baas, J. H. & Best, J. L., 1 Jan 2005.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  48. Published

    Turbulence modulation in clay-rich sediment-laden flows and some implications for sediment deposition.

    Baas, J. H. & Best, J. L., 1 Jan 2002, In: Journal of Sedimentary Research. 72, 3, p. 336-340

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  49. Published

    Turbulence modulation in high-concentration clay-rich flows and the possible origin of “massive” sand beds.

    Baas, J. H. & Best, J. L., 1 Jan 2000, p. 6-7.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  50. Published

    Turbulence-modulated clay-laden flow over flat beds, ripple and dunes.

    Baas, J. H. & Best, J. L., 1 Jan 2005.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper