Concept model
In hydrogeology, a concept model is one of the first steps in the modeling process . It is synonymous with location characterization. The creation of a concept model does not yet contain any mathematical modeling, but is mostly a purely conceptual process and includes the collation of all known data about the geology , hydrology and geochemistry of the study area. Such data can e.g. B. be:
- Groundwater levels in boreholes
- Structure of the subsoil
- Composition of the groundwater .
Sources for such data are e.g. B. geological maps of the relevant state offices, studies that have already been carried out, data from privately-run boreholes, but also the results of our own sampling.
This information is summarized in a first, simplified and qualitative model of the study area, the concept model. It contains initial estimates of the properties of the study area and assumptions about the relevant processes taking place. Such properties can e.g. B. be:
- Geometry and boundaries of the study area
- Structure of the aquifer (material, heterogeneity , isotropy )
- Flow behavior of the groundwater
- Properties of the groundwater (composition, chemistry , redox behavior , etc.)
aims
First and foremost, a concept model summarizes the state of knowledge about the study area and thus clarifies, above all, data that are still to be collected. On the other hand, it gives an initial picture of the processes taking place. It enables the identification of so-called key processes, i. H. the processes that are relevant for the respective objective of the modeling.
From these findings, important conclusions can be drawn for the further course of the modeling, such as: B. the required model type or the properties of the mathematical model, such as B. its grid size. The concept model, and above all the emphasis on the relevant processes, also define the necessary degree of simplification of the mathematical model. If relevant processes are omitted, the model is unable to make useful statements. If, on the other hand, too many processes that are irrelevant to the question are integrated, the model becomes too complex and computationally intensive.
The calculations of the mathematical model that follows later also serve to check the ideas summarized in the concept model. If the subsequent modeling indicates new or different processes, the concept model must be modified in the course of the modeling. In the end, the concept model is understood to mean the state of knowledge about the respective research area.
literature
- Zheng, C., Bennet, GD (1997): Applied contaminant transport modeling , Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, USA
- Bear, J., Beljinb, MS, Rossc, RR (1992): Fundamentals of groundwater modeling , USEPA, Washington
Web links
- Conceptual models , Bureau of rural science, Australia
- Instructions (PDF) for creating a concept model for the University of Alberta (157 kB)