Beijing, Feb 12 - China has detained a South Korean cargo ship over a chemical spill in the Yangtze, the country's longest river and a major source of drinking water.

The Wuhan Maritime Court passed the order Saturday, Xinhua reported.

Gloria is blamed for spilling phenol that partially polluted the water in Zhenjiang city. The spill caused tap water in some parts of the city to emit a pungent smell.

The court has set a bail amount of about 20 million yuan ($3.3 million), Bu Xiaofang, spokesman for the Zhenjiang municipal government, said Saturday.

The South Korea ship had docked at Zhenjiang.

Phenol, soluble in water, if absorbed in large amounts can damage liver and kidney. It is also known as carbolic acid.

The 3,219-km-long Yangtze is the country's longest river and drains into the East China Sea. (IANS)