摘要：Abstract This study evaluates the alternative conceptual models for groundwater modelling. A true model was created with a synthetic alluvial fan-plain hydrogeological framework. Various alternative conceptual models were evaluated for groundwater flow simulations. The first alternative model is a single aquifer layer model; the second alternative model is a 3-layer aquifer model; and the third model is a 5-layer model consisting of 3 aquifers separated by 2 aquitards. All models could fit very well to the observations with optimized values of hydraulic conductivities. However, the single aquifer layer model can only compute water balance components with good accuracy. The 3-layer aquifer model can be used for water balance computation and groundwater head simulation with small errors. The 5-layer model is capable of simulating water budget, groundwater head distribution and travel times with high accuracy. Multi-model analysis found only the 3rd alternative model superior. Graphical abstract Display Omitted Highlights • Four synthetic hydrogeological conceptual models are created. • Alternative conceptual models are calibrated with parameter and observation sensitivities. • Multi-model analysis is used to evaluate alternative conceptual models. • Alternative conceptual models are compared with simulation of groundwater flow and travel times.
关键词：KeywordsenAlternative conceptual modelsMulti-model analysisWater budgetTravel time
