title: Comparison of factors affecting the accuracy of high-precision magnesium isotope analysis by multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  High accuracy is the prerequisite for high-precision isotopic analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Here we evaluate how the presence of matrix elements, and mismatch between samples and standards in Mg concentration and acid molarity affect the accuracy of stable Mg isotopic analysis on Nu Plasma and IsoProbe multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICPMS) instruments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results show that these factors can lead to large (>1‰) deviation in the high-precision analysis of Mg isotopes. The degree and direction of these accuracy offsets can vary for different instruments, instrumental settings and different laboratories.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Detailed tests and tight controls on these effects are thus needed for high-precision high-accuracy stable Mg isotopic analysis.
authors.affiliation: Isotope Laboratory, Department of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA; Isotope Laboratory, Department of Geosciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, 72701, USA.
authors.forename: Fang-Zhen
authors.initials: FZ
authors.lastname: Teng
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yang