Root anchoring provides nonnegligible assistance to prevent soil erosion and stabilize slopes. The anchoring ability of plants suffers a tremendous impact from the soil conditions and the root characteristics. To reveal the root reinforcement effect, a group of pullout tests was conducted on five different tree root systems (Pinus tabulaeformis, Betula platyphylla, Larix gmelinii, Quercus mongolica, and Ulmus pumila) with different soil moisture contents and soil dry weights. The results indicate that the root property (species, diameter, and tensile strength) and soil condition (water content 9.72%, 12.72%, 15.72%, 18.72%, and dry weight 1.32 g/cm³, 1.42 g/cm³, 1.52 g/cm³) had a significant effect on the anchoring effect of the soil. The anchoring effect is more obvious for the roots with a larger diameter and higher tensile strength. With the increase in the soil water content and the dry weight, the root system is more prone to failure but the root anchoring effect of soil with an optimum soil water content performs the best. Among the five different tree species, Pinus tabulaeformis roots were the least effective in anchoring the soil and Betula platyphylla roots performed the best.

Modified natural zeolites (MNZ) are widely used in pollutant removal, but how to address these MNZ that have adsorbed pollutants must be considered. Selenium is an essential trace element for metabolism and is also a water pollutant. Selenium is adsorbed in the water by MNZ in this study first. Then the Brassica chinensis L. was planted in the soil which contains the MNZ loaded with selenium (MNZ-Se) to explore selenium uptake. MNZ-Se release tests in water and soil were also considered. The results showed the following: (1) The maximum adsorption capacity of MNZ for selenium is 46.90 mg/g. (2) Water release experiments of MNZ-Se showed that regardless of how the pH of the aqueous solution changes, the trend of the release of selenium from MNZ-Se in aqueous solution is not affected and first decreases before stabilizing. (3) Soil release experiments of MNZ-Se showed that the selenium content in the soil increased and reached the concentration in the standard of selenium-rich soil. Addition amount and soil pH value will affect the release ratio. The release ratio of MNZ-Se in the water was higher than that in the soil. (4) With an increase in the soil MNZ-Se content, the selenium content in the soil and B. c increases. Above all, MZN can be a good medium for water pollutant removal and soil improvement.