Name Barca Donatella
Date of Birth 22th March 1963
Home Address via Francesco Corsonello N.27 – 87100 Cosenza Italy
Nationality Italian
SCOPUS DATA Papers 109; Hindex 27; Citations:1922.
1985 Degree in Geological Sciences cum laude, University of Calabria – Rende (CS) Italy.
1986 Grant for studies on genesis of magmas – University of Pisa - Italy.
1990 ”Advanced School in Structural Geology”, Florence - Italy 5th- 16th March 1990.
1991 “European Advanced School in Structural Geology and Tectonics”, Trieste- Italy 3th-20th April 1991.
1992 PhD on Structural Geology. Title of the Thesis: “Relations between magmas and tectonic structures – Aeolian Arc, Italy”. Supervisor: Prof G. M. Crisci.
2002 Research Grant on “Petrographic and geochemical study of jarositic deposits of Aeolian Island”.
2005 Researcher at the Department of Earth Sciences - University of Calabria, Italy.
2014 Associate Professor on Applied Petrography at the Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science (DiBEST) - University of Calabria, Italy.
October 2021 Full Professor of Petrography and Petrology at the Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science (DiBEST) - University of Calabria, Italy.
Research Interest PE4_2; PE10_1; PE10_9; PE10_11
The research is focused on the optimization and application of the LA-ICP-MS method (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry associated with Laser Ablation) in various scientific sectors and particularly in cultural heritage. Specifically, her studies deal with the geochemical characterization of natural and artificial stone materials (mortar, plaster, ceramics, obsidian, archaeological glasses). Using this technique, very interesting results have been obtained in characterizing and determining the provenance of obsidian fragments of archaeological interest. Similarly, the LA-ICP-MS method has been used, for the first time, to study the provenance of the limestone used in the production of plasters in some Mexican archaeological sites and monuments. Comparing the results of the chemical analyses of limestone samples from quarries surrounding Mexico City, with the analyses of the lime lumps within archaeological samples, it has been possible to identify the provenance of the limestone used in plastered materials.
Other studies have been conducted on the evaluation the possible state of preservation or degradation of buildings and monuments of historical and artistic value. In the context of environmental issues, the determination of the concentrations of heavy metals by ICP-MS analyses of different environmental matrices (water, soils and rocks) permits to evaluate the possible state of pollution of a site. Many studies have been conducted on the chemical characterization of black crusts which developed on monuments and buildings of many European cities such as London, Siviglia, Venice, Rome, Milan, Florence and Catania. The application of microanalytical techniques (SEM / EDS and LA-ICP-MS) has allowed to characterize the black crust and to correlate the presence of heavy metals (Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb) with the high rate air pollution in the urban centers.
Donatella Barca has also provided valuable support to the development of a great number of national and international projects:
- POR CALABRIA FESR 2014/2020: "Crati Conoscenza e Restauro Attraverso Tecnologie avanzate e Integrate" duration from 01/01/2018 to 31/12/2019.
- INTERREG MEDITERRANEAN –BLUEMED Project Plan/test/coordinate Underwater Museums, Diving Parks and Knowdledge Awareness Centres;
- POR NANOPROTECH, NANO PROtection TEchnology for Cultural Heritage, Messa a punto di nanoformulati multifunzionali e di tecniche applicative per la conservazione dei beni culturali” , D.G.R. n. 11609 1/10/2014;
- PON project 01_02140 Asse I "Sostegno ai mutamenti strutturali" – Obiettivo Operativo 4.1.1.1. Titled COMAS (Programmed conservation in situ of underwater Archaeological Artifacts). Duration 36 months.
- PON project 01_00625 Asse I "Sostegno ai mutamenti strutturali" - Obiettivo Operativo 4.1.1.1. Titled IT@CHA (Italian technology for advanced applications in the Cultural Heritage). Duration 36 months.
-Bilateral cooperation project Italy-Mexico of great importance (co-financed by MAE) Titled: “Development of new LA-ICP-MS analytical approach for the identification of the provenance of the raw materials used in the building of historical and archaeological pre-Columbian monuments from Mexico”. Duration 36 months: 2011-2013.
- PRIN 2012: "L'habitat rupestre in età medievale. Roccia, architetture scavate e pittura in Cappadocia (Turchia), nella Tuscia e nel Meridione d'Italia: fra conoscenza e conservazione"
In addition, she has been the Scientific Responsible of:
- CUIA project: “Archaeometric application of architecture in Argentina. Conservation of materials and valorisation of Cultural Heritage: case study” at University of Calabria. Project Partners: University of Ferrara-Italy (leadership), University of Camerino-Italy, University of Pavia-Italy, University of Urbino-Italy, Universidad de Córdoba-Argentina, Universidad Catolica de Córdoba-Argentina, Istituto Italo-Latino Americano (IILA)- Argentina. Project length: March 2012 – April 2014.
- PIA project: “Laboratory in the field” at University of Calabria, Project length: October 2013 - June 2015.
Moreover, she has been Member of the Scientific Committee for (last five years):
- Yococu "Dialogues in Cultural Heritage" International Conference. - May 23-25 2018 - Matera, Italy.
- Regional Congress “The Cultural Heritage and the New Comunication” University of Calabria Rende May 19 -20, 2017.
- the IX National Congress of Italian Association of Archaeometry AIAr “Un ponte tra Arte e Scienza: passato presente e prospettive future”. University of Calabria Rende March 8-11, 2016.
- School for PhD LTL-2015 – LNF/Cs Test Laboratories – Science and Instrumentation Technologies at University of Calabria, Rende-Cosenza (Italy), June 8-12, 2015.
- the 1st International School ENVIMAT (ENVIRONMENT MATERIAL INTERACTION): Preventive conservation of monuments and archaeological sites in the Mediterranean Basin July14-18, 2014 University of Calabria, Rende-Cosenza (Italy).
- the 1st International School on the Characterization of Archaeological and Historical Mortars and Plasters. Archaeology, Archaeometry and Conservation. Rende-Cosenza Italy, June 3-7, 2013.
She has scientific collaborations with researchers from national and international universities.
International Collaborations:
• Prof. Hechmi GARNIT Département de Géologie, Université Al Manar Tunis TUNISIE
• Prof. Luis A. BARBA, Laboratorios de Arqueometrìa, Instituto de Investigacion Antropològicas, Unam, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico D.F.
• Dr. Leonardo LOPEZ LUJAN, Director del Proyecto Templo Mayor, Sèptima Temporada del Museo del Templo Mayor, INAH-Proyecto.
• Dr. Alessandra PECCI ERAAUB, Departamento de Historia i Arqueología, Universitat de Barcelona
• Dr Giulio LUCARINI CNR - Italy
She is Responsible of the ICP-MS Lab of the Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science of University of Calabria.
She is member of PhD School SIACE of University of Calabria.
She is member of Scientific Committee of the Research Centre Ce.R.C.A. “Centro Ricerche sulle Culture dell’Abitare” D.R. N. 291 March 10, 2017.
She is the Coordinator of the Bachelor degree on Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage at University of Calabria Rende-Cosenza Italy, since 2016.
She has been Coordinator of the Bachelor degree in Science and Technology for Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage (LT43 and LM11), at University of Calabria Rende-Cosenza Italy from 2012 to 2016.
She has been Guest Editor for a Special Issue of: the Archaeological & Anthropological Sciences and Minerals.
She is Editor of Minerals.
