Topic: Pair of Word,

Best Answer Explained in Below-:

The correct answer to the question is B) prosecute, and here's why. The term "prosecute" specifically refers to the legal action taken by the government against individuals or organizations accused of committing a crime. In the context of the statement, it implies that the government will take legal steps to hold those guilty of polluting the waters accountable for their actions, likely through a court of law.

On the other hand, option A) "persecute" refers to the act of harassing or oppressing someone, often for their beliefs or characteristics, and is not relevant to legal accountability for pollution. Option C) "persuade" means to convince someone to do something, which does not fit the context of government action against lawbreakers. Lastly, option D) "persiflage" denotes light or playful talk and is completely unrelated to legal concepts.

Therefore, “prosecute” is the most appropriate term when discussing the government taking action against offenders, particularly in a legal framework concerning environmental protection.