Underwater Oil "Terrifying, Depressing"

On the surface, this part of Barataria Bay looks clean. But look again. This is oil sticking to the bottom of the bay, reports CBS News correspondent Mark Strassmann. It's the unseen and largely unknown part of this crisis.

Ben Dubansky waded into Barataria Bay.

"Oh, my god," was his reaction.

This aquatic toxicologist says the bay is in deep trouble.

Special Section: Disaster in the Gulf

Oil. Hidden underwater in sand that holds the food for shrimp, oysters, and a host of shellfish. When asked how worrisome that is, he said, "Terrifying, depressing. Pretty heartbreaking to see."

Tuesday BP had its own underwater worries. At 9:00 a.m. central time, containment operations above the broken well head were in full swing. By 9:30, BP had shut down everything.

Oil gushed unchecked into the Gulf. A fire blamed on a lightning strike had broken out above the surface ship capturing the oil. Five hours later operations resumed but during the shutdown perhaps 3,000 barrels bled into the Gulf.

On Grand Isle, Butch Gaspar guesses his marina can operate for another month, no more. He says BP owes him $215,000 for gas and storage.

Gaspar wants President Obama to take charge Tuesday when he speaks in prime time. He told Mr. Obama that in person when they met 11 days ago.

Latest on the oil spill:

BP: Ship Siphoning Oil Again After Fire
Obama Looks to Reassure, Flex Muscle on Spill
Lawmakers Berate Oil Execs over Response Plans
BP Gets OK to Burn Captured Gulf Oil at Sea
Foreign Flagging of Oil Rig Tied to Blast Cause
Obama Seeks to Show Control of Spill with Oval Office Address
Gibbs: BP Will Be Removed From Claims Process
Gulf Coast Skeptical of Obama's Spill Response
Vulnerable Gulf Species
Oil Drowning Small Businesses
11-Year-Old Draws for Gulf Relief

[elymej]

Engineering group at its best should have been in control by now or they are a group at its worst being paid just to sit down. Or they have no clue of what they are doing. BP ceo should have been leading this group to plan and execute what has to be done asap. Plan A should have been containing the spill and B is what they are doing now with relief well. For a wealthy company, 30 days is more than enough to recover at least 90% of the spill, if they really are working or the engineers are just title holders.

[tsigili]

There in no worse eco disaster, on record, and to occur in such a vital nurturing environment for so many species, will become a long term toll of major proportions.

[TheYock]

I just discovered why we are not using supertankers to clean up the oil spill . Supertankers did a great job of removing an oil spill near Saudi Arabia . This spill is a result of the cozy relationship between big oil, and the MMS that oversees drilling . We cannot use supertankers because of the Jones Act, a result of the cozy relationship between government, and unions . The Jones Act prevents use of supertankers because they are not built here, well what is built here ? Our leader does not want to offend the unions by taking charge, and suspending the Jones Act . We are stuck with toxic dispersant, and oil everywhere . If you offend the unions, who will pay for your re-election ? Enough sweet talk, we need action ! The Yock

[imthaid]

BP is going to end up filing for bankruptcy and all the share holders will end up penniless. They are already exaggerating the cost and trying to hide money and minimize payouts. Remember what happened when GM filed for bankruptcy? Everyone ended up empty handed and GM was allowed to wipe away all legal claims, even the ones they had already lost over safety liability suits. And after BP files bankruptcy? Yeah, it's BAILOUT TIME. Right now the BP CEO is making deals with OBAMA to avoid jail time in exchange for a $20 BILLION slush fund. This will become the latest corporation to join The Obama Group.