Sterilization

Sterilization
The removal or destruction of all microorganisms, including pathogenic and other bacteria, vegetative forms, and spores.
Source: Terms of the Environment ...

sterilization
The process of making sterile, the killing of all forms of life.
sticky point ...

Sterilization: The destruction of all living organisms in water or on the surface of various materials. In contrast, disinfection is the destruction of most living organisms.

sterilization The treatment of a material, usually by the means of heat or chemicals, which kills or removes any or all forms of life. The act of making something sterile.

Sterilization The destruction or inactivation of all microorganisms. See Disinfection.

Storage The short term retention of water after a precipitation event.

Decontamination does not eliminate microorganisms but is a necessary step before disinfection, sterilization or environmental clean up.

Proper disposal of live cultures after experiments are terminated can be accomplished by pressurized heat sterilization (autoclaving) or by chemical disinfection.

See also: Solution, Characteristic, Liquid, Soil, Environment