Alva Review-Courier -

CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) — The unique geology at the United States' only underground nuclear waste repository recently drew a researcher from across the Atlantic Ocean.

Scientist Maurizo Tomasi of Rome, Italy, journeyed to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in Carlsbad to conduct research last week due to the salt mines' low levels of background radiation, the Carlsbad Current Argus reports .

For six days per week, researchers used unbleached, damp paper towels to germinate seeds.

High-grade potash was used from a nearby mine to separate incubator-containing seeds, to minimize the effects of backgroun...