  The quantum correlations between a qubit and its environment are described
quantitatively in terms of interatomic distance. Specifically, considering a
realistic system of two two-level atoms and taking into account the
dipole-dipole interaction and collective damping, the quantum entanglement and
quantum discord are investigated, during the dissipative process, as a function
of the interatomic distance. For atoms that are initially maximally entangled,
it turns out that there is a critical distance where each atom is maximally
quantum correlated with its environment. Counterintuitively, the approach of
the two atoms can maximize the entanglement between each one and the
environment and, even at the same distance, minimize the loss of entanglement
between the pair.
