Les concrétions carbonatées des grottes : aperçu synthétique

A synthetic overview of the scientific work on calcium carbonate cave deposits (dripstones and flowstones) over the last twenty years is carried out. More particularly, recent studies on speleothems composition, growth, age and paleoclimatic environment are examined. Main new results are in relation with the development of isotopic and radiometric dating methods which together with other research fields like palynology and tephrostratigraphy make speleothem a first choice material for the study of Late and Upper Quaternary. Beside geomorphological contributions — including Belgian results on maximum rates of valleys entrenchment and deepening — increasing number of dates allow for statistical speleothem repartition studies which could be related with paleoclimates. Two new frequency curves of U-series ages data of speleothems are presented.