Rigoberto Garcia

Research Highlights

January 28, 2021

Scientists at AOML Awarded Ocean Observing Team Award for Western Boundary Time Series Project

October 15, 2015

Long-term AOML Research Project Reaches Important Milestone

Research Interests

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation.

The transport, structure, and variability of the Florida Current and the Deep Western Boundary Current.

Rigoberto Garcia

Senior Research Associate (University of Miami/CIMAS), Physical Oceanography Division

305.361.4348

Rigoberto.Garcia@noaa.gov

4301 Rickenbacker Causeway
Miami, Florida 33149

“Off the east coast of Florida, the bulk of the warm surface limb of the vertical Meridional Overturning Circulation and the majority of the western boundary component of the horizontal subtropical gyre are carried within the Florida Current as it passes through the Straits of Florida. The importance of the Florida Current to the dynamical ocean–atmosphere system and as a flow with a significant history of observations, led to the establishment in 1982 of a nearly continuously program to provide long-term monitoring of the Florida Current.”

About

Rigoberto Garcia is a Senior Research Associate with the Cooperative Institute of Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS) at the University of Miami. Rigoberto works in the Physical Oceanography Division at AOML observing the western boundary components of the Meridional Overturning Circulation (MOC), in particular, the transport, structure, and variability of the Florida Current. He is focused on the processing and analysis of multiple observation systems of the Atlantic MOC.

Current Work & CV

Current Work

Keep up to date the time series of voltage from a submarine telephone cable with the ultimate purpose of maintaining the long time series of transport measurements of the Florida Current (FC).

Process dropsonde and LADCP data to estimate the FC volume transport.

Process and analyze Inverted Echo Sounder (IES) data in both North (WBTS) and South (SAM) Atlantic projects.

Download Full CV

Education

1987, B.S. Mathematics, Univ. of Havana, Cuba.

1994, M.S. Physical Oceanography, Center for Scientific Research and Higher Education of Ensenada (CICESE), Mexico.

Publications

Volkov, D.L., R.H. Smith, R.F. Garcia, D.A. Smeed, B.I. Moat, W.E. Johns, and M.O. Baringer. Florida Current transport observations reveal four decades of steady state. Nature Communications, 15:7780, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-51879-5 2024
Ref. 4444
Pujiana, K., D.L. Volkov, S. Dong, G. Goni, M. Baringer, R.H. Smith, and R. Garcia. Genesis of the Gulf Stream subseasonal variability in the Florida Straits. Journal of Geophysical Research-Oceans, 128(2):e2022JC018555, https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JC018555 2023
Ref. 4230
Volkov, D.L., R.H. Smith, C.S. Meinen, R. Garcia, M. Baringer, and G. Goni. The skill of measuring the Florida Current volume transport from space. Proceedings, 5th Oceans from Space Symposium, Venice, Italy, October 24-28, 2022. European Commission, 238-239, 2023
Ref. 4333

View all Related Publications

Volkov, D.L., R.H. Smith, R.F. Garcia, D.A. Smeed, B.I. Moat, W.E. Johns, and M.O. Baringer. Florida Current transport observations reveal four decades of steady state. Nature Communications, 15:7780, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-51879-5 2024
Ref. 4444
Pujiana, K., D.L. Volkov, S. Dong, G. Goni, M. Baringer, R.H. Smith, and R. Garcia. Genesis of the Gulf Stream subseasonal variability in the Florida Straits. Journal of Geophysical Research-Oceans, 128(2):e2022JC018555, https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JC018555 2023
Ref. 4230
Volkov, D.L., R.H. Smith, C.S. Meinen, R. Garcia, M. Baringer, and G. Goni. The skill of measuring the Florida Current volume transport from space. Proceedings, 5th Oceans from Space Symposium, Venice, Italy, October 24-28, 2022. European Commission, 238-239, 2023
Ref. 4333
Graef, F, and R.F. Garcia. Resonant interactions between Rossby modes in a straight coast and a channel. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 918:A34, https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2021.344 2021
Ref. 3975
Meinen, C.S., R.H. Smith, and R.F. Garcia. Evaluating pressure gauges as a potential future replacement for electromagnetic cable observations of the Florida Current transport at 27°N. Journal of Operational Oceanography, 14(2):166-176, https://doi.org/10.1080/1755876X.2020.1780757 2021
Ref. 3817
Garcia, R.F., R.H. Smith, and D. Volkov. Oceanographic data collected in the Straits of Florida at 27°N during the year 2018, including the estimated Florida Current transport. NOAA Data Report, OAR-AOML-80, 75 pp., https://doi.org/10.25923/znsg-pj87 2020
Ref. 3877
Garcia, R.F., R.H. Smith, and D.L. Volkov. Oceanographic data collected in the Straits of Florida at 27°N during the year 2019, including the estimated Florida Current transport. NOAA Data Report, OAR-AOML-81, 76 pp., https://doi.org/10.25923/hkcc-4k61 2020
Ref. 3901
Volkov, D., R. Domingues, C.S. Meinen, R. Garcia, M. Baringer, G. Goni, and R.H. Smith. Inferring Florida Current volume transport from satellite altimetry. Journal of Geophysical Research-Oceans, 125(12):e2020JC016763, https://doi.org/10.1029/JC016763 2020
Ref. 3903
Garcia, R.F., C.S. Meinen, R.H. Smith, and D.L. Volkov. Oceanographic data collected in the Straits of Florida at 27°N during the year 2017, including the estimated Florida Current transport. NOAA Data Report, OAR-AOML-76, 81 pp., https://doi.org/10.25923/3ak8-d940 2019
Ref. 3651
Meinen, C.S., W.E. Johns, B.I. Moat, R.H. Smith, E.M. Johns, D. Rayner, E. Frajka-Williams, R.F. Garcia, and S.L. Garzoli. Structure and variability of the Antilles Current at 26.5°N. Journal of Geophysical Research-Oceans, 124(6):3700-3723, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JC014836 2019
Ref. 3668
Garcia, R.F., C.S. Meinen, and R.H. Smith. Oceanographic data collected in the Straits of Florida at 27°N during the year 2000, including the estimated Florida Current transport. NOAA Data Report, OAR-AOML-73, 26 pp., https://doi.org/10.7289/V5/DR-AOML-73 2017
Ref. 3403
Garcia, R.F., C.S. Meinen, and R.H. Smith. Oceanographic data collected in the Straits of Florida at 27°N during the year 2001, including the estimated Florida Current transport. NOAA Data Report, OAR-AOML-72, https://doi.org/10.7289/V5/DR-AOML-72 2017
Ref. 3402
Garcia, R.F., C.S. Meinen, and R.H. Smith. Oceanographic data collected in the Straits of Florida at 27°N during the year 2002, including the estimated Florida Current transport. NOAA Data Report, OAR-AOML-71, 65 pp., https://doi.org/10.7289/V5/DR-AOML-71 2017
Ref. 3400
Garcia, R.F., C.S. Meinen, and R.H. Smith. Oceanographic data collected in the Straits of Florida at 27°N during the year 2003, including the estimated Florida Current transport. NOAA Data Report, OAR-AOML-70, 56 pp., https://doi.org/10.7289/V5/DR-AOML-70 2017
Ref. 3399
Garcia, R.F., C.S. Meinen, and R.H. Smith. Oceanographic data collected in the Straits of Florida at 27°N during the year 2004, including the estimated Florida Current transport. NOAA Data Report, OAR-AOML-69, 82 pp., https://doi.org/10.7289/V5/DR-AOML-69 2017
Ref. 3396
Garcia, R.F., C.S. Meinen, and R.H. Smith. Oceanographic data collected in the Straits of Florida at 27°N during the year 2005, including the estimated Florida Current transport. NOAA Data Report, OAR-AOML-68, 66 pp., https://doi.org/10.7289/V5/DR-AOML-68 2017
Ref. 3391
Garcia, R.F., C.S. Meinen, and R.H. Smith. Oceanographic data collected in the Straits of Florida at 27°N during the year 2006, including the estimated Florida Current transport. NOAA Data Report, OAR-AOML-67, 72 pp., https://doi.org/10.7289/V5/DR-AOML-67 2017
Ref. 3388
Garcia, R.F., C.S. Meinen, and R.H. Smith. Oceanographic data collected in the Straits of Florida at 27°N during the year 2007, including the estimated Florida Current transport. NOAA Data Report, OAR-AOML-66, 60 pp., https://doi.org/10.7289/V5/DR-AOML-66 2017
Ref. 3384
Garcia, R.F., C.S. Meinen, and R.H. Smith. Oceanographic data collected in the Straits of Florida at 27°N during the year 2008, including the estimated Florida Current transport. NOAA Data Report, OAR-AOML-65, 50 pp., https://doi.org/10.7289/V5/DR-AOML-65 2017
Ref. 3382
Garcia, R.F., C.S. Meinen, and R.H. Smith. Oceanographic data collected in the Straits of Florida at 27°N during the year 2009, including the estimated Florida Current transport. NOAA Data Report, OAR-AOML-64, 68 pp., https://doi.org/10.7289/V5/DR-AOML-64 2017
Ref. 3381
Garcia, R.F., C.S. Meinen, and R.H. Smith. Oceanographic data collected in the Straits of Florida at 27°N during the year 2010, including the estimated Florida Current transport. NOAA Data Report, OAR-AOML-63, 70 pp., https://doi.org/10.7289/V5/DR-AOML-63 2017
Ref. 3374
Garcia, R.F., C.S. Meinen, and R.H. Smith. Oceanographic data collected in the Straits of Florida at 27°N during the year 2016, including the estimated Florida Current transport. NOAA Data Report, OAR-AOML-74, https://doi.org/10.7289/V5/DR-AOML-74 2017
Ref. 3432
Garcia, R.F., C.S. Meinen, and R.H. Smith. Oceanographic data collected in the Straits of Florida at 27°N during the year 2011, including the estimated Florida Current transport. NOAA Data Report, OAR-AOML-62, 67 pp., https://doi.org/10.7289/V5/DR-AOML-62 2016
Ref. 3373
Garcia, R.F., C.S. Meinen, and R.H. Smith. Oceanographic data collected in the Straits of Florida at 27°N during the year 2012, including the estimated Florida Current transport. NOAA Data Report, OAR-AOML-61, 56 pp., https://doi.org/10.7289/V5/DR-AOML-61 2016
Ref. 3346
Garcia, R.F., C.S. Meinen, and R.H. Smith. Oceanographic data collected in the Straits of Florida at 27°N during the year 2013, including the estimated Florida Current transport. NOAA Data Report, OAR-AOML-59, 65 pp., https://doi.org/10.7289/V5/DR-AOML-59 2016
Ref. 3313
Garcia, R.F., C.S. Meinen, and R.H. Smith. Oceanographic data collected in the Straits of Florida at 27°N during the year 2014, including the estimated Florida Current transport. NOAA Data Report, OAR-AOML-58, 75 pp., https://doi.org/10.7289/V5Z60M26 2016
Ref. 3284
Garcia, R.F., C.S. Meinen, and R.H. Smith. Oceanographic data collected in the Straits of Florida at 27°N during the year 2015, including the estimated Florida Current transport. NOAA Data Report, OAR-AOML-57, 77 pp., https://doi.org/10.7289/V5J38QKF 2016
Ref. 3279
Garcia, R.F., and C.S. Meinen. Accuracy of Florida Current volume transport measurements at 27°N using multiple observational techniques. Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, 31(5):1169-1180, https://doi.org/10.1175/JTECH-D-13-00148.1 2014
Ref. 2974
Meinen, C.S., M.O. Baringer, and R.F. Garcia. Florida Current transport variability: An analysis of annual and longer period signals. Deep-Sea Research, Part I, 57(7):835-846, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2010.04.001 2010
Ref. 203

Awards

Ocean Observing Team Award (RAPID-MOCHA-WBTS 26°N Team) 2020

For significantly improving our understanding of Atlantic circulation with a breakthrough in observing system design, providing continuous, cost-effective measurements.

PhOD’s Science Paper Award 2014

AOML’s Outstanding Research Paper for Fiscal Year 2011, 2012

Department of Commerce Bronze Medal 2007

For contributions to the Western Boundary Time Series project as part of the Meriidonal Overturning Circulation (MOC) team.