The evolution of turbidity currents covers multiple physical processes, such as fluid entrainment, self-acceleration, and sediment deposition, which are associated with sediment particle behaviors and yet not well understood. This study uses a fully coupled computational fluid dynamics and discrete element method model to investigate the particle-scale dynamics of turbidity currents and their responses to different bedforms. Results show that the turbidity currents controlled by viscous drag exhibit distinct flow features, including changes in morphology, velocity evolution, and other fluid/particle kinematic indicators, depending on their initial particle volume concentration. An increase in initial particle volume concentration enhances the fluid/particle motions accompanied by generating interfacial Kelvin–Helmholtz waves. The fluid/particle indicators, with the exception of the energy loss for particle–bed collisions, have strong relevance with particle concentrations, which can be described by linear or power-law functions. Furthermore, specific bedforms play unique roles in the propagation process and deposition pattern of turbidity currents. Slope beds enhance the motion, suspension, and collision of sediment particles, and cause wave-shaped sediment deposits along the slope particularly in the high-concentration case. By comparison, weakening of particle migration on obstructed and wavy beds is accentuated by blocking effects, mainly resulting from the convex bed morphology. However, the continuously convex and concave features diminish the blocking effect of wavy beds by intensifying particle motions along the lee sides of wave-shaped bumps. The particle-scale dynamics of turbidity currents is linked to the relative sizes of the underlying bedforms, which should be noted and further studied in our future work.

Manned submersible dives in the northwest South China Sea encountered substantial amounts of plastic litter accumulated at the base of scours along the floor of a submarine canyon, which may associate with the depositional behaviors of turbidity currents. In this study, we conduct numerical simulations using field‐scale bathymetry to investigate the relationship between the canyon floor morphology, flow processes, and the locations and sizes of the plastic litter piles. The consistent deposition pattern caused by the numerical turbidity currents with different input parameters indicate that morphology of the canyon may exert a dominant influence on turbidite deposition. This is attributed to a significant reduction in shear velocity as simulated turbidity currents flowing through the scours on the canyon floor. Spatial correspondence between deposits of turbidity currents and plastic litter accumulation suggests that suspended sediments and plastic may undergo simultaneous dynamic processes during the transportation of turbidity currents.

The Beibu Gulf’s ocean circulation system regulates regional marine ecosystems, sediment transport, and coastal geomorphology while also supporting vital economic activities. This study integrates one-year current observations from four in-situ current observation stations (B1−B4) with simulations using the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) to characterize circulation dynamics in the gulf. Observations show persistent northward subtidal currents west of Hainan Island year-round, primarily sustained by tidal-induced residual currents. These currents briefly reverse southward during strong northerly wind events, whereas subtidal currents in the northern Beibu Gulf are more wind-dependent, showing pronounced seasonal variations. Numerical results confirm that winter circulation is dominated by a basin-wide cyclonic gyre driven by northeasterly monsoons. In summer, circulation in the northern gulf is cyclonic under southeasterly winds, but turns anticyclonic when southwesterly winds prevail, indicating strong sensitivity to summer monsoon wind direction. By combining multi-station observations and numerical simulations, this study provides a systematic characterization of the seasonal circulation of the oceanic system in the Beibu Gulf, offering new insights into its dynamic mechanisms.