The persistent challenge of subpar performance in airlift pump systems has driven ongoing efforts to enhance their efficacy in transporting sediment across various seabeds and lakebeds. The formation of sand pits during the lifting of solid particles by airlift pumps has the potential to disrupt water flow patterns and alter the distribution of bottom sediment, thereby impacting the habitat of aquatic organisms. This study aims to investigate how submergence rate and air intake influence the suction range at the bottom of airlift pump systems following dynamic operation in gas-liquid-solid three-phase flow. Baseline performance experiments were conducted with the pump operating under continuous air injection and four submergence rates: 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, and 0.8. The results revealed that airlift pumps consistently formed structured sand pits after lifting solid particles. Notably, an air intake of 150 m³·h^-1 emerged as the optimal point for achieving peak lifting performance, facilitating thorough particle elevation and resulting in semi-elliptical sand pit shapes. Moreover, submergence rate and air intake significantly influenced the suction range at the system’s bottom. Increasing air intake, under the same submergence rate, led to pronounced variations in both the size and depth of the bottom sand pit, gradually expanding its impact zone. Similarly, elevating the submergence rate under consistent air intake resulted in an expanded bottom impact area. Conversely, insufficient submergence rate and air intake failed to produce sand pits. By scrutinizing and optimizing the operational parameters of airlift systems, we can mitigate disturbances to aquatic ecosystems, safeguard the habitat of aquatic organisms, and sustain the health and equilibrium of aquatic and environmental ecosystems.