Education

Sc.D. in Physical Oceanography, CICESE, Baja California, Mexico, 2001

M.Sc. in Physical Oceanography, CICESE, Baja California, Mexico, 1996.

Licenciate in Oceanography, ITBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1994.

Research Interests

I'm currently devoted to the following research efforts:

Lagrangian ocean and atmosphere dynamics. The focus of this effort is applications of nonintegrable Hamiltonian systems to problems in geophysical fluid dynamics. The principal mathematical tools applied in this effort are results relating to Kolmogorov-Arnold-Moser theory (which addresses the stability of Hamiltonian systems under perturbation) and results relating to the structure of stable and unstable manifolds of hyperbolic trajectories in unsteady flows. These manifolds are often referred to as Lagrangian coherent structures, or LCSs, in fluid dynamical applications. Specific applications which are being considered include: (a) biological applications of oceanic LCSs including problems involving harmful algal blooms, plankton patchiness, and understanding observed biogeographical boundaries; (b) the connection between LCSs and the predominant Eulerian features of the general ocean circulation; (c) the connections between jets, transport barriers and potential vorticity barriers in the ocean and stratosphere; and (d) assessing the impact of high-resolution wide-swath altimetry on the determination of the surface ocean Lagrangian circulation. Collaborators in this effort are: F. Beron-Vera and M. Brown (RSMAS/AMP); H. Koçak (Computer Science); L. Brand (RSMAS/MBF); and G. Goni (NOAA/AOML).

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABS)

Strong KAM Stability in Planetary Atmospheres

Observed vs simulated 2004 HAB on the

West Florida Shelf

Figure adapted from Hu et al. (2005) and Olascoaga et al. (2008).

Jupiter’s weather layer (Cassini data)

MERHAB 2009 Monitoring harmful algal Blooms on the West Florida Shelf using Lagrangian coherent structures

We propose to thoroughly test a methodology that takes into account often overlooked e_ects of Lagrangian ocean circulation to help improving the detection, tracking, and forecasting of harmful algal blooms (HABs) on the West Florida (WFS), where the largest and most frequent HABs caused by the toxic dinoagellate Karenia brevis tend to occur. The West Coast Governor's Agreement on Ocean Health and the Gulf of Mexico Alliance has identified HABs in the Gulf of Mexico as a priority issue; the proposed effort responds to this concern. The basis for the proposed methodology are ideas borrowed from the field of dynamical systems. More specifically, ideas that relate to the theory of Lagrangian coherent structures (or LCSs). Roughly speaking, LCSs are distinguished material fluid curves (i.e., curves composed always of the same elementary uid elements or particles) which completely determine the fate of passively advected tracers. The proposers have recently demonstrated that LCSs can: (i) unveil low mixing regions where HAB development is favored; and (ii) delineate potential pathways for HAB evolution. The proposed activity consists in systematically exploiting these two fundamentally important properties of LCSs, concurrently with population dynamics simulations, to track the evolution of HABs detected using satellite imagery and in-situ measurements. During the planned testing activity the proposed tool will be distributed as a beta product by the NOAA CoastWatch Project to complement currently distributed products by this program. Satellite imagery for the planned testing activity will be available through the RSMAS Remote Sensing Group. In-situ K. brevis sampling will be available as the result of _ve oceanographic cruises to the WFS, which are funded by the RSMAS Ocean and Human Health Center through an NSF grant and will be carried out during 2010-2011. Additional in-situ K. brevis observations are planned to be obtained using a 45-ft boat. The K. brevis survey using the 45-ft boat will be carried out as frequently as possible each time bloom activity is detected in satellite imagery for ground-trusting.

Baroclinic instability saturation. This effort centers on the application of results relating to the stability of generalized Hamiltonian systems to the problem of baroclinic instability in the ocean. Such results allow to set a priori bounds on the amplitude of baroclinic instability waves, which play a critical role in providing controls for mixed-layer restratification and deep-ocean convection. By means of low order and fully nonlinear numerical simulations, I'm currently investigating the accuracy of the aforementioned bounds and their utility in constructing eddy closures. This effort is being carried out in collaboration with F. Beron-Vera (RSMAS/AMP).

If you are interested in pursuing graduate studies at RSMAS in any of these areas there are opportunities within the group.

Teaching

RSM 671: Lagrangian Fluid Dynamics and Predictability

Curriculum Vitae

Publications

Talks

Personal

*Family

*Reencuentros

*UM Canes Field Hockey Club

Last update: 21 October 2009.