Understanding perturbation on the simplex: A simple method to better visualize and interpret compositional data in ternary diagrams

Perturbation is an operation defined on the simplex and can be used for centering compositional data in a ternary diagram, applying objective criteria. Because a straight line in the original diagram is still a straight line in the perturbed diagram, gridlines or compositional fields defined by straight lines can easily be included in the operation. Simultaneous perturbation of data, gridlines, and/or compositional fields is shown to improve both visualization and graphical interpretation of compositions in ternany, diagrams. This is illustrated by some examples using simulated as well as real data.